July 13, 2026 UPDATE

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsroom, 13.07.2026, 20:00

SECURITY – Romania strongly condemns the hostile cyber activities carried out by groups controlled by the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation targeting EU member states, NATO allies, and their partners, including our country, President Nicușor Dan stated on Monday. In a Facebook post, the head of state emphasized that, alongside the EU, Romania sends the message that such attacks, which target public institutions, critical infrastructure and sensitive information, are unacceptable. “They are part of a broader hybrid campaign aimed at undermining the stability of our democracies, fueling divisions within society and between allies and testing the cohesion of the EU and NATO. Romania will continue to act, together with its allies and partners, to strengthen cybersecurity and to defend the values, security, and unity of the Euro-Atlantic community”, the president added.

GOVERNMENT – The political crisis persists even after the recent consultations that Romania’s President, Nicușor Dan, held on Monday in Bucharest with the leaders of the former ruling coalition – PSD, PNL, USR, and UDMR – as well as with the leader of the national minorities parliamentary group. The National Liberal Party (PNL) maintains its decision not to participate in government alongside with the Social Democratic Party (PSD), with Liberal Siegfried Mureșan saying that the topic of such a coalition is closed. In his turn, PSD President Sorin Grindeanu stated that there were so-called “truce” options proposed by the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) and the national minorities, but PNL and USR leaders, Ilie Bolojan and Dominic Fritz respectively, categorically rejected them. He also stated that PSD is in opposition. Meanwhile, AUR (a populist, ultra-nationalist opposition party) reaffirms that it will not support any government led by the four parties that caused this crisis. Previously, the head of state announced that he would not waive his two initially stated conditions, namely: designating a prime minister only if he or she has the necessary parliamentary support, but without a majority formed with votes from AUR. On May 5, the government led by Liberal leader Ilie Bolojan was dismissed through a motion of no confidence initiated by PSD and AUR. PNL and USR subsequently decided they would no longer join a cabinet that includes PSD. The head of state’s two nominations for the position of prime minister – a presidential advisor and a Liberal repudiated by his own party – did not lead to a resolution of the political crisis.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS – Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu participated on Monday in the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) held in Brussels. The meeting’s agenda included topics of interest for European security and for advancing the economic interests of the EU and its member states. During the session dedicated to the EU’s strategic approach in the Black Sea region, Romania’s intervention focused on the Maritime Security Hub, to be operationalized in Constanța and Varna, on trade routes, and on the decision of Romania, together with Turkey and Bulgaria, to expand cooperation for protecting critical infrastructure. Talks also included Russia’s war against Ukraine, with an emphasis on European support in the energy sector. Romania’s intervention highlighted the need for European funding to connect border energy infrastructure and to support sanction packages. Regarding the situation in the Middle East, the focus was on the latest developments in Iran and the urgent humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. Current matters were also discussed, such as EU-UN relations and recent developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina. On the sidelines of the FAC, Oana Țoiu also participated in the EU-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) meeting.

SUPPORT  – A new meeting of the Coalition of the Willing took place on Monday in Paris. At least 25 leaders were present to discuss increasing support for Ukraine and maintaining pressure on Russia to accept a ceasefire and resume peace negotiations. The meeting’s agenda included the fight against the Russian ghost fleet that illegally transports oil, the mobilization of the European defense industry in support of Ukraine, and strengthening its air and ballistic missile defense. Created at the initiative of France and the United Kingdom, the Coalition of the Willing comprises 35 states, joined by the Republic of Moldova and North Macedonia. Romania was represented by President Nicușor Dan, who was also invited to participate on Tuesday, alongside the other heads of state and government gathered in Paris, in the festivities organized for the National Day of France. During the traditional military parade on the Champs-Élysées Boulevard, military personnel from all coalition countries will march alongside the French. Romania will be represented by an honor detachment from the Romanian Army’s 30th Guards Brigade “Mihai Viteazul”.

FOOTBALL – Universitatea Craiova (south) won the Romanian Football Supercup after defeating Universitatea Cluj (north-west) at home on Sunday, 5-3 on penalties. Universitatea Craiova achieves a historic domestic treble for the first time, having already won the championship and the Romanian Cup. The Craiova-based team had only won the Romanian Supercup once before, in 2021, against CFR Cluj. (EE)