July 13, 2025
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 13.07.2025, 14:00
JUDGES – Three new Constitutional Court judges were sworn in on Sunday at Cotroceni Palace, the headquarters of the Presidential Administration. The ceremony took place in the presence of president Nicuşor Dan, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, the other members of the Constitutional Court and the leaders of the Parliament in Bucharest. The constitutional judges, whose mandates start today, are Mihai Busuioc – appointed by the Senate and supported by the Social Democratic Party, Csaba Asztalos – voted by the Chamber of Deputies at the proposal of the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania, and Dacian Cosmin Dragoş – appointed at the proposal of president Nicușor Dan. The Constitutional Court comprises nine judges appointed for a nine-year mandate that cannot be extended or renewed. Of these, three judges are proposed by the Chamber of Deputies, three by the Senate and three by the President of Romania. The position of Constitutional Court judge is incompatible with any other public or private position, with the exception of teaching positions in higher education institutions.
CONGRESS – Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan was officially elected president of the National Liberal Party in a special party Congress held on Saturday in Bucharest. In his message to his colleagues, Bolojan said that the National Liberal Party must reinvent itself to meet the expectations of citizens, drawing attention to the fact that Romanians will judge the party in light of its decisions and actions. Among his objectives as head of the party and of the government Ilie Bolojan mentioned good governance, reducing waste, eliminating injustice and regaining citizens’ trust. Ilie Bolojan recently announced that the Government is already working on a second package of fiscal measures designed to reduce Romania’s budget deficit, the largest in the European Union. The package of measures includes the reform of state-owned enterprises, the reform of special pensions and public administration, the reduction of waste in healthcare and the improvement of revenue collection. The administration in Bucharest is considering the implementation of three such packages of fiscal measures. The first entered into force on July 1, and the third is scheduled for January 1, 2026. According to the international rating agency Moody’s, Romania’s fiscal deficit could reach 7.8% of GDP this year and 6.1% in 2026, if the three packages of measures announced by Ilie Bolojan are fully implemented. Romania’s budget deficit at the end of 2024 stood at 9.3%.
VISIT – The president of Romania, Nicuşor Dan, will pay an official visit to Germany on Friday, July 18, where he will meet with his counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Later, Nicuşor Dan will have a meeting with Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Talks will focus on bilateral relations, European and security policy aspects. This year, Romania and the Federal Republic of Germany mark 145 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations. Germany is Romania’s largest trade partner, holding a share of 19.82% of total foreign trade, respectively 20.95% in exports and 18.98% in imports.
US TARIFFS – The European Union is preparing a response to the 30% customs duties announced by US President Donald Trump, starting August 1. The community bloc is analyzing possible countermeasures if negotiations with the Americans remain fruitless. The ambassadors of EU member states in Brussels met on Sunday to finalize the EU’s response, which Foreign Ministers will analyze on Monday and decide whether or not it will enter into force immediately. There are two lists of measures prepared by the European Commission. The first targets products imported from the US worth €21 billion, and the second will have an impact of almost €95 billion. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc wants to continue working towards a trade deal with the United States by August 1, but warned that while the EU has a high level of openness and adherence to fair trade practices, it will take all necessary steps to protect its interests and is ready to take proportionate measures if necessary. This week, Donald Trump warned 23 of the USA’s trade partners that he would impose tariffs between 20% and 50%.
ENERGY – The high energy prices in Romania pose a problem to economic security, Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan said. He announced that, within three weeks’ time, he will present to the ruling coalition an analysis of these costs, which affect both Romanian companies and household users. Bogdan Ivan said that energy prices in Romania are twice as expensive as those in states in the Middle East or Asia, and that our country is among the top three countries in the European Union in terms of the electricity prices. The Romanian official recalled that vulnerable people will be given vouchers to pay energy bills, after the cap on electricity prices was lifted on July 1. €10 vouchers will thus be granted every month to single people whose monthly income is below €380 and to families whose net income per member does not exceed €350. According to the Ministry of Labor, over 2 million households will benefit from these vouchers.
FESTIVAL –The “Beach, Please!” Festival, hosted by the resort of Costineşti on the Romanian Black Sea coast, comes to a close on Sunday. Hundreds of thousands of young people from the country and abroad participated in the largest urban hip-hop music festival in Europe. The event also features two prevention campaigns addressing young people focused on the consumption of prohibited substances and the condemnation of domestic violence. 200 Romanian and foreign artists have been invited to take part in the event. Organizers announced that they have already sold 40,000 tickets for next year’s edition, and local guesthouses and hotels in the area have already been almost fully booked, despite the fact that the rates are between €200 and €400 per night. (VP)
