January 17, 2026
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 17.01.2026, 14:00
BUDGET The state budget in 2026, the new local taxes and duties as well as the investment programme were the main issues the Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan discussed with the mayors of the counties of Iasi and Botosani, in north-eastern Romania. The head of the Executive said he expected the measures of curbing administration expenses by 10% to cause discontent, but he pointed out they are essential and the government insists on engaging responsibility on the project. Bolojan has said the measures will be at the foundation of the state budget law to be endorsed in early February. However, the PSD mayors of Iasi refused to participate in the talks with the Liberal Prime Minister. In a press release, they explained the meeting would have been purely formal, as the austerity measures had already been endorsed without a previous consultation with the parties involved. They believe though the aforementioned measures will have a dramatic effect upon the local communities and the co-ruling PSD doesn’t want to legitimize austerity and endorse cuts, it doesn’t want to back poverty.
FRANCE The latest information that recently appeared in the public space according to which, France would be extremely dissatisfied with Romania’s position regarding the trade agreement EU-Mercosur or if there is a connection between this file and the French military presence in Romania ‘is false’, the French Embassy in Bucharest says. According to it, the French military presence is part of commitments to collective security and strengthening NATO’s Eastern Flank. The embassy has also reaffirmed its commitment to the French-Romanian strategic partnership and the security of the region. The reaction comes after comments by PSD MEP Victor Negrescu who suggested that France might be dissatisfied with Romania’s position and that there could be geostrategic consequences, including a possible withdrawal of French troops from the country.
WEATHER Temperatures plunged to minus 22 degrees Celsius in central Romania this morning; the lowest temperature at national level and the lowest this winter so far. Meteorologists are explaining the cold wave through the presence of a mass of cold air, clear sky and the layer of snow. They recall that after many years with mild winters, the weather seems to return to low temperatures like in the past. According to the latest weather forecasts this cold wave is expected to last until the end of this month. Snowfalls are expected in Romania’s east and south-eastern regions with a noon reading in Bucharest, which will not go above -4 degrees Celsius.
HANDBALL Romania’s national handball side conceded a 40-34 defeat to Portugal in Herning on Friday night in their first game in group B of the European Championships – EHF EURO 2026, in Denmark, Sweden and Norway. According to sports publications in Bucharest, Romania put up a bold show at first but after getting six goals in a row they seemed to have lost their cutting edge. In the other match of the group, Denmark clinched a 36-24 win against North Macedonia. Romania will be up against Denmark on January 18.
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