July 10, 2025 UPDATE
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 10.07.2025, 20:00
PARLIAMENT A no-confidence motion tabled by the populist opposition against the coalition government led by the Liberal Ilie Bolojan was presented in Parliament on Thursday. The move comes after the government recently took responsibility for a first set of austerity measures to reduce the budget deficit. Titled ‘They ruined the country and now they are forcing Romanians to pay the bill – out with the hypocritical Government’, the motion will be reviewed and voted on Monday, 14 July. If the motion is endorsed by a majority of deputies and senators, the Bolojan Cabinet will be dismissed. If the motion fails, the legislation for which the government has taken responsibility passes.
PROTESTS Members of the National Trade Union Bloc (BNS) and of the National Fiscal Administration Agency (ANAF) picketed the finance ministry offices in Bucharest on Thursday. Representatives of the unions attending the protest had talks with the finance minister Alexandru Nazare. On Friday, the protests will move to the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forestry (MMAP). In addition, a decision was made that every Thursday between 10:00 and 12:00, a protest will take place in front of the public institutions in which the BNS has union members. The rallies take place after the government took responsibility before Parliament on a first set of austerity measures, and after the announcement by the Bolojan Cabinet that two more reform sets will follow. The first fiscal set stipulates tax increases, spending cuts and financial discipline measures, aimed at reducing the budget deficit and stabilising public finances. The employees of several public institutions in Bucharest and across the country also took to the streets these days to protest the measures.
RATING Romania’s fiscal deficit could reach 7.8% of GDP this year and 6.1% in 2026, if all three sets of measures announced by PM Ilie Bolojan are fully implemented, according to the latest report by the international rating agency Moody’s. The agency views the fiscal measures recently taken by the Romanian government as ‘an important step’ towards balancing the budget, but warns that any deviation from the assumed plan could undermine the stabilisation efforts and could put additional pressure on the country’s sovereign rating. According to Moody’s, the government’s plan should reduce the deficit and slow down the growth of public debt faster than previously anticipated. The agency also emphasises that strict compliance with the established fiscal targets is critical for the success of the consolidation program. Romania has a ‘Baa3’ rating assigned by Moody’s.
UKRAINE The British PM Keir Starmer and the president of France Emmanuel Macron called on world leaders in London on Thursday to put increased pressure on Russia’s president Vladimir Putin by imposing new sanctions to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine. The request was made at a Coalition of the Willing meeting. Romania was represented by president Nicușor Dan, via video call. Also in Rome on Thursday, addressing a conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine, the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU will mobilize EUR 2.3 billion for the reconstruction of Ukraine, setting up, among other things, a special fund aimed at mobilizing private capital. The EU is ‘the top donor’ for Ukraine, with over EUR 165 billion in aid already provided since Russia invaded the country in February 2022, Ursula von der Leyen mentioned. Romania was represented by foreign minister Oana Ţoiu.
EU A no-confidence motion against the European Commission tabled by the Romanian MEP Gheorghe Piperea (AUR) was dismissed by a large majority in Strasbourg on Thursday, with 360 votes against, 175 votes in favour and 18 abstentions. The motion cited concerns about the Commission’s persistent failure to comply with key principles of the Union, including transparency and accountability. The motion was discussed on Monday, when the July session of the European Parliament began. (AMP)
