July 14, 2025
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 14.07.2025, 13:55
Measures – Romania’s President Nicusor Dan said that the fiscal measures adopted by the government to redress the budget are temporary and that the country has the potential to develop immediately after the recovery period. He gave assurances to investors and markets that the promised reforms would be carried out. Regarding the increase in the VAT, the tax which he had promised, during the electoral campaign, that would not be increased, the president said that the measure could not have been taken, but that this was the government’s responsibility. On the other hand, President Dan believes that it was a political mistake when it was decided that, in the case of magistrates, the pension should be higher than the salary, which stimulated premature retirement. He has told magistrates who can retire now not to rush to do so, because the future legislative changes regarding special pensions will not affect them.
Parliament – Reunited in an extraordinary session, the Romanian Parliament debates and votes today on the no-confidence motion filed by the populist and ultranationalist opposition against the coalition government. The Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) tabled the motion after the Government led by the liberal Ilie Bolojan assumed responsibility for the first package of fiscal measures to reduce the budget deficit. The initiators want to block, in this way, the increases in taxes and duties provided for in the fiscal package, which, in their opinion, bring austerity only for the ordinary people. The parliamentarians of the parties in the governing coalition announced that they would ensure the quorum at the meeting, but would not vote. In order to be adopted, the motion needs 233 votes ‘in favor’. If the motion receives the vote of the majority of deputies and senators, then the Bolojan Government is dismissed. If it is not adopted, then the project for which the Executive assumed responsibility is adopted.
Trade unions – One of the major trade union confederations in Romania, Cartel Alfa, is organizing a march around Parliament and is calling for trade union unity for joint actions. The unionists say that the economic and social policies now promoted by the political class would be an attack on employees, pensioners and the most vulnerable citizens. Cartel Alfa believes that it is time for united, firm and immediate action to defend the general interests of workers in all sectors of activity, both public and private. The National Federation of Administration Unions is also organizing a protest march today against what it considers to be policies of demonizing employees in central and local public administration. They are allegedly being turned into scapegoats for budgetary imbalances, even though they represent a maximum of 20% of the number of public employees.
Tariffs – European trade and foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels today to set their response strategy to the latest initiative by the US President Donald Trump, who announced 30% tariffs on European imports from August 1. The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who is negotiating on behalf of the member states, has announced that the Union is not retaliating against US steel and aluminum tariffs for the time being, in the hope that a less damaging agreement will be reached. However, a package of additional retaliatory measures will be presented to ministers today to be applied if the US president does opt for 30% tariffs. President Nicuşor Dan sent a message of support for the European Commission’s efforts to continue negotiations and reach an agreement with the US before August 1, in the interest of citizens and the transatlantic partnership.
France – The Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan conveyed on Monday, on the National Day of France, Romania’s appreciation for the solid strategic partnership between the two countries. ‘France is a trusted partner within the European Union and an important ally within NATO, contributing to the security of the eastern flank and the Black Sea region, including through the military presence within the NATO Battle Group in Romania, as a framework nation’. In turn, the Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Cătălin Predoiu emphasized that ‘the relationship between Romania and France is one of historical friendship, supported by a deep cultural affinity and consolidated through strategic partnerships within the European Union and NATO’.
Agrifish – The Romanian Agriculture Minister, Florin Barbu, is participating in the Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AGRIFISH) meeting in Brussels on Monday. According to a press release from the relevant ministry, the Danish Presidency will present the work program and main priorities for the second semester of 2025. This aims to promote policies that contribute to simplifying the legislative framework and improving regulations in the agricultural and fisheries sector, with a focus on supporting farmers, fishermen and producers in the agri-food sector. The Danish Presidency also aims to accelerate the green transition, encourage innovation and strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of the European agri-food sector. Romania will support in Brussels, together with the Czech Republic, a call for urgent action in the field of plant protection products. “The position expressed underlines the importance of access to effective solutions for crop protection, in order to maintain the competitiveness of European agriculture” – announced the Romanian agriculture ministry. (LS)
