July 26, 2026 UPDATE
The latest news from RRI
Newsroom, 26.07.2025, 20:06
Measures – As of August 1, the first package of fiscal and budgetary measures to reduce the country’s excessive deficit will come into force in Romania. President Nicuşor Dan promulgated, on Friday, the law for which the coalition government in Bucharest has assumed responsibility in Parliament. The measures include the increase in the VAT and excise rates, in the health contributions for pensions higher than 3,000 lei (about 600 Euros), the freezing of pensions and salaries in the public sector or the limitation of bonuses and state employment. Immediately after the announcement of the austerity measures, employees from numerous fields of activity protested, with unions warning that they could trigger an all-out strike in September if the solutions proposed as an alternative to some of the reforms under consideration are not taken into account. The government is expected to develop a second package of measures to reduce the deficit next month.
Visit – The Ro manian President Nicuşor Dan met on Saturday, during a two-day official visit to Austria, with Chancellor Christian Stocker, whom he told that the two countries must have a strong economic relationship, the Danube Strategy being a good opportunity in this regard. The Danube Strategy is a macro-regional initiative of the European Union aimed at promoting economic, social and environmental development in the Danube region. During the morning, the head of state participated in the opening ceremony of a traditional festival in Salzburg. On Friday, President Nicuşor Dan and the President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen, discussed the development of bilateral relations, support for Ukraine in the war against Russia, the expansion of the European Union to the Western Balkans, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, and also about the Romanian community in Austria.
Environment – The Environment Minister Diana Buzoianu presented, on Saturday, to her German counterpart, Carsten Schneider, the Văcăreşti Natural Park, a unique example of ecological regeneration in an urban setting. The park is located in the heart of Bucharest and represents an oasis of biodiversity for over 150 species of birds, protected species of amphibians, reptiles and mammals, as well as a wetland ecosystem of inestimable value for ecological education, climate resilience and the quality of urban life. The discussions held on site by Ministers Diana Buzoianu and Carsten Schneider focused on the importance of urban natural areas for public health, biodiversity conservation and environmental education. Both stressed the need to more firmly include these green spaces in the climate and urban strategies of the European Union. The German Environment Minister paid a visit to Romania between 24-26 July.
Roaming – The European Union will eliminate roaming charges for the Republic of Moldova starting from 1 January next year. The measure aims to support the gradual integration of the Romanian-speaking republic into the Union’s internal market, one of the objectives of the association agreement concluded in 2016. A decision to abolish roaming charges has been recently taken for Ukraine as well. Citizens of the two countries will be able to make calls, send text messages and use mobile data in the European Union without additional charges. Both Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova have the status of candidate countries for accession.
Weather – Romania faced, also on Saturday, intense and persistent heat, reported in most of the southern half, including Bucharest, where a Code Red Alert were in force. Maximum temperatures reached up to 43 degrees Celsius, and thermal discomfort is particularly high. In Bucharest, at noon, temperatures rose to 35 degrees C. For the rest of Romania, meteorologists have issued Code Orange and Yellow Alerts for heat. Starting in the afternoon, Sunday and throughout next week, the exchange of a very hot air mass with a colder air mass will lead to torrential rains, possible storms and, on isolated areas, hail. For now, due to the heat wave, traffic restrictions have also been imposed. Vehicles with a maximum authorized total mass of over 7.5 tons couldn’t circulate on Saturday between noon and 8 p.m. local time, on motorways, expressways and national roads in the areas covered by the Red Code. (LS)
