July 30, 2025
A roundup of domestic and international news
Mihaela Ignătescu, 30.07.2025, 13:55
Investments. The Romanian government will try to identify additional funds in next month’s budget adjustment in order to continue as many investment projects as possible through the “Anghel Saligny” local development program. The decision was taken today at the request of the PSD at a meeting of the leaders of the governing coalition, which also includes the PNL, USR, and UDMR. Previously, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan had announced that the 10 billion lei (approximately 2 billion euros) budget for this year’s program, which aims to modernize local communities, had been exhausted. Also after next month’s budget adjustment, the executive is expected to adopt a second package of measures to reduce the budget deficit. This package refers to new retirement conditions for magistrates, amends the Insolvency Law, taxes capital and capital transfers, and reforms state-owned companies. A first package will come into force on August 1 and includes austerity measures such as increasing VAT rates, excise duties on alcohol, tobacco, and fuel, paying health insurance contributions for pensions exceeding 3,000 lei (about 600 euros), and freezing pensions and salaries.
Defense. Romania has submitted a portfolio of projects to the European Commission for the development of the defense industry and increased military mobility, investments to be financed through the European Security Action for Europe (SAFE) mechanism. According to a government press release, approximately 70% of the projects involve the procurement of military equipment to develop the national defense industry, while the remaining 30% are aimed at increasing military mobility in terms of transport and logistical connectivity. The SAFE instrument is a temporary financial mechanism of the European Union, with a budget of €150 billion in the form of loans. These are granted on the basis of a national defense industry investment plan approved by the European Commission, and the funds can be used until the end of 2030.
Travel. The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued travel warnings for regions in the United States, New Zealand, and countries in Oceania regarding major risks of tsunamis and strong currents in coastal areas. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs Romanian citizens who are in, transiting, or planning to travel there that, following an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 8.7–8.8 that occurred on Tuesday off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia), the authorities in the above-mentioned countries have issued official warnings of large waves. The Romanian diplomatic service strongly recommends immediately leaving or avoiding coastal areas, as well as swimming, fishing, traveling by boat, and stopping in port areas. It is also recommended that the instructions of the authorities be strictly followed. Tsunami warnings have been issued in almost every country on the Pacific coast. The Russian Seismological Service in Kamchatka has warned that aftershocks of up to 7.5 are expected following Tuesday’s earthquake.
Protest. Representatives of Romanian education unions are calling for the resignation of Minister of Education and Research Daniel David and have announced that, starting today, they will picket the ministry’s headquarters. In their opinion, the government is causing “a crisis unprecedented in the last 35 years” in education, and the measures in the fiscal package for which the government has taken responsibility will also affect the education system. According to the union members, among the measures that “severely affect” education and research in Romania are the increase in the teaching norm by two hours, the merging of hundreds of educational institutions, which, in their opinion, will lead to layoffs of auxiliary teaching and even administrative staff, and the reduction of the hourly pay rate. Other measures complained about by trade unionists relate to the underfunding of research institutions and central university libraries. At the same time, the unions have announced that on September 8, the first day of the new school year, over 30,000 union members will participate in the “Education Rally.”
Fake. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) in Bucharest has reported the existence of a campaign to spread false information, presenting as genuine clips created using artificial intelligence programs, according to which Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan announces Romania’s entry into war starting in September 2025. “These clips are fake and are part of a deliberate attempt to manipulate public opinion. The Romanian prime minister has not made such statements, and Romania is not going to war,” the MAI press office said, as quoted by local media.
Swimming. Romanian swimmer David Popovici, the reigning Olympic champion, is competing today in the semifinals of the 100 m freestyle at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. He qualified with the best time, and the final is scheduled for Thursday. On Tuesday, David Popovici won the gold medal in the 200-meter freestyle, ahead of American Luke Hobson and Japanese Murasa Tatsuya, who completed the podium. For David Popovici, this is his second world title, after the one he won in 2022 in Budapest. The athlete is also the Olympic champion in the 200 m freestyle, after winning gold in Paris in 2024. In Singapore, David Popovici will also compete in the 50 m freestyle event. Romania won another medal at the World Championships in Singapore, bronze by Constantin Popovici in high diving (27 meters). (MI)
