January 14, 2026 UPDATE
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 14.01.2026, 19:45
Administration. The Romanian Ministry of Development has opened up for public debate a draft reform of the country’s public administration, which includes, among other things, a 10% cut in personnel costs. The bill amends several laws and contains articles referring to the functioning of public institutions, traffic fines, and property taxes. According to the text, the 10% reduction in personnel expenses in the central public administration will be achieved through institutional reorganization, by reducing bonuses or cutting jobs, without affecting the basic salaries of employees. In contrast, a 10 percent reduction in the number of positions is planned at the local government level. The bill is expected to become law once the government assumes responsibility for it in Parliament.
Justice. A new meeting of the Committee for the Analysis and Review of Legislation in the Field of Justice was held in Bucharest on Wednesday. This forum met for the first time on December 23 last year, with Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan also attending. The Committee’s objective is to establish concrete regulatory solutions to problems recently identified in public debate, including through journalistic investigations and petitions from magistrates. In this context, we recall that a pending reform is that of the special pension system for magistrates, on which access to European funds also depends. The outcome could come on Friday, when the CCR judges are expected to rule on the bill for which the Executive took responsibility in Parliament last year. The reform, which provides for a reduction in pensions and an increase in the retirement age, has been delayed due to repeated challenges by the High Court of Cassation and Justice, as well as the lack of a quorum in the Constitutional Court.
Education. On Wednesday, Romanian President Nicuşor Dan signed decrees acknowledging Daniel David’s resignation from the position of Minister of Education and Research, with Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan taking over this portfolio on an interim basis. David resigned on December 23, 2025, from the position he had held for exactly one year. He wrote that the reason for his resignation is simple and that there is no need to construct hidden scenarios around it. “I never sought a political career, but I temporarily accepted the public office of minister in order to help the country and our education and research system in the crisis situations they were going through. Now, major reforms in education are being implemented and there are no longer any risks related to salaries and scholarships in education.” It is only fair that the budget for 2026 be drawn up by the minister who will administer it, David added. According to the local press, he had become one of the most unpopular members of the current four-party cabinet, which is pro-European. The start of the school year in Romania was marked by protests from teachers dissatisfied with the changes contained in the package of measures to reduce the budget deficit, for which the government assumed responsibility in Parliament. On September 8, some schools in the country did not hold classes, and teachers refused to participate in celebrations, dissatisfied with the fact that they have more hours to teach, there are more students in classes, while they receive less money. The teachers were joined by students. They disagree with the austerity measures adopted last year, which led to a reduction in scholarship funds and the elimination of certain discounts on local and rail transport.
Culture Day. Every year on January 15, Romania celebrates National Culture Day. This day coincides with the birthday of Mihai Eminescu (1850-1889) – poet, prose writer, playwright, and journalist, considered by posthumous literary critics to be the most important poetic voice in Romanian literature. National Culture Day was established by law in December 2010. Throughout the country, but also abroad, events promoting academic endeavour, Romanian art and culture are held on this occasion. This year, Radio Romania will launch a new version of the free platform eteatru.ro – the largest on-demand collection of radio theater in the country. Thanks to a modernized digital experience, those interested will have access to thousands of productions from the National Radio Theater’s archive, from classic performances and legendary productions to contemporary creations. The first theater broadcast on Radio Romania took place on February 18, 1929. Over the decades, to this day, the National Radio Theater has built a heritage sound archive, bringing together great texts of Romanian and universal drama, prestigious directors, and some of the most important voices of the Romanian stage.
Sports. Romanian athlete David Popovici has been voted the best European swimmer of 2025, according to a survey conducted by the continental forum, as announced on Facebook by European Aquatics and his club, CS Dinamo Bucharest. Popovici won two world titles last year in Singapore in the 100-meter freestyle and 200-meter freestyle events. The Romanian swimmer also won two gold medals (100-meter freestyle, 200-meter freestyle) and one bronze medal (50-meter freestyle) at the European Under-23 Championships in Samorin, Slovakia. The European Aquatics trophy for women was awarded to Dutch swimmer Marrit Steenbergen. (MI)
