February 25, 2026 UPDATE
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 25.02.2026, 20:00
INFLATION Romania reported the highest annual inflation rate in the European Union in January, at 8.5%. According to data released by Eurostat, Romania is followed by Slovakia and Estonia, while the average at EU level has slightly dropped to 2%. At the opposite pole are France, Denmark, Finland and Italy. For the end of the year, the National Bank of Romania has revised its inflation forecast to 3.9%, from 3.7% previously.
PARLIAMENT The leader of AUR Senators Petrişor Peiu Wednesday announced his party tabled a simple motion against the minister of culture, Andras Istvan Demeter (UDMR). Entitled “The profession wants you out, Minister. You are an insult to Romanian culture,” the motion is signed by 43 Senators. According to a news release issued by AUR, “the move is motivated by the lack of responsibility of a minister who, after multiple slip-ups, including insults to artists, inappropriate measures and evident conflicts of interest, refuses to step down, although he was asked to do so on many occasions; a minister who makes blunder after blunder, who seems to be bothered by the Romanian identity and who seems to be above the law, since the laws of Romania are suspended for Mr. Demeter.” AUR also claims that “the ministry’s intention to implement a timekeeping system for artists, actors, and employees in performing arts institutions was deeply unfair, and does not take into account the reality of the profession.” The Senate Speaker Mircea Abrudean announced that, according to the regulations, the debate and vote on the simple motion will take place on Monday, March 2.
PROTESTS Trade unions in public education protested on Wednesday in Bucharest against the measures taken by the government that affect the education system. They are unhappy with the increase in teachers’ workload, the scholarship award system and the merger of some schools. The leader of the ‘Spiru Haret’ trade union federation, Marius Nistor, said that teachers are also protesting problems related to the budget projection for this year. Teachers want decision-makers to bring the workload for teachers, professors, directors and inspectors back to the level stipulated in the 2023 Undergraduate Education Law. They also demand an increase in the scholarship fund for pupils and students. The National Alliance of Student Organisations in Romania also joined the protest. Students warn against the consequences of recent policies leading to education underfunding.
INVESTMENTS The PM of Romania Ilie Bolojan will be on a visit to Brussels on Thursday, for a meeting with the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. The PM said the main topics of discussion are the launch of the EastInvest mechanism, the multiannual financing framework for the coming years and the spending of funds under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The visit takes place as Romania’s ruling coalition is currently holding talks on the draft State Budget Law for the current year, which also takes into account the European funds that will support the investment component of the budget. Ilie Bolojan said he wanted the 2026 state budget to be finalised next week and sent to Parliament for endorsement, and promised it would be realistic.
ADMINISTRATION The coalition government has passed an emergency order on the reform of central and local public administration, an initiative that should lead to better services for citizens. The reform targets over 45,000 posts, of which approximately 20,000 employees would actually be laid off. According to PM Ilie Bolojan, the reform also helps reduce bureaucracy, and contributes to decentralisation and strengthening the administrative capacity of Romanian authorities. At the same time, it aims to increase the collection of taxes, local fees and fines. In a separate emergency order, the Government approved measures to support the economy, which will ensure a transition from consumption-based growth to one supported by investment and domestic production. (AMP)
