July 24, 2025

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsroom, 24.07.2025, 01:55

RATING – Standard & Poor’s rating agency announced that it maintains Romania’s rating and the negative outlook in the long and short term, in local and foreign currency, which reflects that the risks regarding the country’s public finances will remain high in the coming years, despite the deficit reduction measures announced by the Government. According to S&P, the rating could be downgraded in the next two years, if these measures are insufficient or if weak economic growth reduces their effectiveness. The rating could also be reduced, if external debt increases above forecast levels or if financing conditions deteriorate, for example due to significant delays in receiving European funds. S&P could improve Romania’s outlook from negative to stable, if the fiscal and external deficits are significantly reduced, supported by a return to economic growth. According to the rating agency, the fiscal impact of the measures recently announced in Bucharest is 1.1% of GDP in 2025 and 3.5% of GDP in 2026, which will contribute to reducing deficits to below 7.7% this year and to 6.4% in 2026, from 9.3% in 2024. All three major rating agencies (S&P, Moody’s and Fitch) have a negative outlook on Romania’s sovereign rating, which places the country on the verge of a ‘junk’ rating, not recommended for investment.

MEETING – The increase in trade between Romania and Hungary and the development of joint infrastructure and interconnection projects were discussed, on Wednesday evening, in Bucharest, by Prime Ministers Ilie Bolojan and Viktor Orbán. According to a press release from the Romanian Executive, emphasis was placed on concrete projects that can bring real benefits to the citizens of both countries. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan stressed that Romania wants a constructive relationship with Hungary, focused on real cooperation and clear results. He also presented the main directions of Romania’s position in the European Union, emphasizing the need for unity and solidarity in the face of current challenges. The meeting in Bucharest was held at the request of the head of the Hungarian government, who is on an unofficial visit to Romania, on the occasion of the 34th edition of the Summer University in Băile Tuşnad (center), where, on Saturday, he will deliver a speech.

GOVERNMENT – The ruling coalition in Bucharest – formed by PSD, PNL, USR, UDMR and the National Minorities Group – has decided to postpone until mid-August the adoption of the second package of fiscal-budgetary measures. The decision was made in the context in which the Social Democrats voiced dissatisfaction that they were not consulted on all the measures announced by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan. Among the measures in this package, considered by the Executive for the reform of state-owned companies, are the reduction of the number of members of the Boards of Directors and Supervisory Boards of state-owned companies, their remuneration, as well as the capping of benefits. We recall that, recently, the Constitutional Court rejected the AUR’s notification regarding the first package of fiscal measures, adopted by the Bolojan Government by assuming responsibility in Parliament. The package will come into force on August 1 and contains, among other things, an increase in VAT rates, an increase in excise duties, a cut in some bonuses and a cap on pensions and salaries.

DECISIONS – On the table of the Government in Bucharest, which meets today in session, there are several decisions. Among them is a normative act regarding the annual granting of scholarships abroad for undergraduate, master’s and doctoral studies, as well as for research internships. The Ministry of Education will grant the scholarships in euros every month and they will cover, in whole or in part, tuition fees, accommodation, food, maintenance and medical insurance. The scholarships will also cover the costs of transportation from Romania to the internship location and return, but only once per academic year. Another Government decision refers to the hiking trails of national interest for recreational purposes. Rules will be established regarding their arrangement and maintenance, in order to support tourism that creates jobs and promotes cultural diversity, local products and respect for traditions and the environment.

TENNIS – Romanian table tennis players Eduard Ionescu and Darius Movileanu brought Romania its first medal at the 2025 Summer World University Games, held in Germany. They won bronze in the men’s doubles event. Eduard Ionescu also secured a medal in the men’s singles, going to play in the semifinals against Russian Vladimir Sidorenko. Romania is participating in the Universiade in Germany with 64 athletes, in 9 disciplines. On the other hand, Romanian athletes won two medals, one silver and one bronze, on Wednesday, at the European Youth Olympic Festival, summer edition, in Skopje (North Macedonia) and Osijek (Croatia). The silver medal was won by swimmer Cezar Stoica in the men’s 200m individual medley, and the bronze medal was won by gymnast Alexia Blănaru in the individual medley final. Romania’s tally so far is five medals – one silver and four bronze. 87 Romanian athletes are competing in 11 disciplines at the European Youth Olympic Festival for summer sports. At the previous edition, in 2023, Romania ranked fourth in the nation rankings.

FOOTBALL- Romanian football teams are playing away today in the first leg of the 2nd preliminary round of the Conference League. Universitatea Craiova meets FK Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and is considered the favorite, while FC Universitatea Cluj plays Ararat, from Armenia. Universitatea Cluj returns to a European competition after 53 years. Also in the first leg of the 2nd preliminary round, but of the Europa League football competition, CFR Cluj faces, away, the Swiss team FC Lugano. We remind you that, on Tuesday evening, the Romanian champion, FCSB, was defeated by the North Macedonian team KF Shkendija with a score of 1-0, in Skopje, in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the Champions League. The return leg will take place on July 30, at the National Arena in Bucharest. (EE)