July 4, 2025 UPDATE
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Newsroom, 04.07.2025, 20:11
Fiscal measures – The coalition government PSD-PNL-USR-UDMR in Bucharest adopted, on Friday, a package of fiscal measures, which will be approved by assuming responsibility in Parliament in a session to be held on Monday. On Saturday and Sunday, the MPs can submit amendments to the project. Previously, the liberal Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan had consultations with the representatives of the employers’ associations and trade unions about these proposed measures to reduce the country’s budget deficit and increase economic credibility. The employers’ associations called for fiscal predictability and combating evasion, while trade unions expressed concern about the budgetary impact on education. The fiscal package presented on Thursday by the PM provides for a combination of tax increases and spending cuts, applied at least until the end of 2026, with the aim of reducing the deficit and eliminating the risk of Romania being downgraded by international rating agencies to the junk category, not recommended for investments. The measures have also been discussed with the European Commission and, according to the Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare, there are signs that, if they are approved before the ECOFIN Council on July 8, the assessment from Brussels will be a good one. However, they will lead, for a period of time, to a decrease in the standard of living of the majority of Romanians.
4th July – The Prime minister Ilie Bolojan conveyed his greetings to the United States and to the American people on Independence Day celebrated on 4th July. He said on the government’s Facebook page that this day represents the wish for freedom and democracy, values which Romania is sharing. The Strategic Partnership between Romania and the United States is a cornerstone of the two countries’ cooperation, built on trust, respect and common goals. On Thursday, the American embassy in Bucharest hosted a reception to celebrate Independence Day. President Nicuşor Dan said on that occasion that America is Romania’s most important ally and strategic partner.
Summit – The first EU-Rep. Moldova summit took place on Friday in Chişinău. The moment is considered crucial for the European future of the ex-Soviet Republic, in the context of legislative elections taking place in the autumn. The President of the European Commission (EC), Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, discussed with President Maia Sandu and other Moldovan officials the European path of Chişinău, regional security and EU support in the context of the war in Ukraine. The EC President reiterated, during the summit, her firm support for the integration of the Republic of Moldova into the community bloc, promising the opening of all negotiation chapters as soon as possible, investments of billions of Euros and concrete measures to improve the living conditions of Moldovan citizens. The EC announced the release of the first tranche of a €1.9 billion reform and economic growth plan launched last year. The first amount, €270 million, will be used to build a new regional hospital, modernize the heating system in Chişinău and reduce energy bills. Ursula von der Leyen also confirmed that she would eliminate roaming charges for Moldovans traveling to the EU, and free Wi-Fi would be installed in public spaces in Chişinău. Other measures will facilitate money transfers between the Moldovan diaspora and families in the country. The summit took place a year after the official opening of negotiations for Moldova’s accession to the EU.
Festival – The first edition of the Neversea Kapital festival is getting under way in Bucharest on Friday night, to be held until Sunday. Well-known artist will perform on three stages on the National Arena stadium to transform the Capital into a point of attraction on the European map of electronic music. The line-up also features acrobatics, ‘Freestyle Puppetry’ – a modern and interactive concept of puppet theatre, and ‘face painting’ sessions. The Bucharest City said it had come up with a special program aimed at promoting the capital city and offering a memorable cultural and tourist experience. Traffic restrictions will be in place on the streets near the stadium, and law enforcement will be present during the event and inside the Arena, to combat drug trafficking and use. Specially trained dogs will be used for this purpose to detect prohibited substances.
Rugby – The Romanian national rugby team will face Chile in a test match on Saturday. It is the Romanians’ first match of the summer tournament in South America. During the tournament, the first representative team will also play two more warm-up matches, against Uruguay (on July 12) and Argentina (on July 18). (LS)
