June 8, 2025 UPDATE
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 08.06.2025, 18:40
Visit. Romanian President Nicuşor Dan will pay an official visit to Chişinău on Tuesday, where he will be received by the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu. The president’s visit agenda also includes meetings with the Speaker of the Parliament in Chişinău, Igor Grosu, and Prime Minister Dorin Recean. In the last part of the visit, President Dan will participate in the event “The Common European Future of Romania and the Republic of Moldova”, alongside his Moldovan counterpart. On Wednesday, the Romanian head of state will attend a summit in Odesa, Ukraine.
Negotiations. Maintaining the single tax rate, cutting non-essential public spending, speeding up digitalization and maximizing the absorption of European funds are some of the recommendations made by business organizations in a joint appeal to the parliamentary party leaders. The appeal comes amid debates on economic recovery and budget deficit correction measures. Business people in Romania are worried that the debate would focus overwhelmingly on tax hikes, in the absence of any committed public vision for cutting excessive government spending or modernizing the state apparatus. Without a real commitment to domestic reform, any fiscal measures only risk burdening the economic engine needed for recovery, a statement signed by 11 business associations and organizations reads. According to the signatories, honest businesses should not have to pay to cover the deficit induced by irresponsible management of public finances, and efficient and responsible economic activity and high-performing and well-paid work should not be discouraged by tax mechanisms that discourage growth. The tax package discussed in recent days in Bucharest in a technical working group will be negotiated on Monday by President Nicușor Dan and representatives of the pro-European parties.
Pentecost. Orthodox Christians and Catholics celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles of Jesus Christ, a feast popularly called Pentecost or Whitsunday. From a religious point of view, Pentecost represents the founding of the Christian Church 50 days after the Resurrection of the Lord. According to tradition, the 12 apostles began to speak in tongues they had never spoken before, and the apostle Peter explained to everyone that the Holy Spirit had given them the gift of preaching in foreign languages. Following his words, the first 3,000 people were baptized, establishing the first Christian community. More than 300,000 pilgrims from home and abroad took part in the Catholic Pentecost procession in Șumuleu Ciuc, Harghita county (center) on Saturday. This year’s pilgrimage was held under the motto “Pilgrims of Hope”, similar to that of the Jubilee Year 2025 declared by Pope Francis. The Catholic pilgrimage in Șumuleu Ciuc has a history of over 450 years, is considered the largest in Central and Eastern Europe and has at its centre the miracle-working statue of the Virgin Mary, located in the Franciscan church.
Praid. Foreign and Romanian experts present in Praid (central Romania), who are supporting the authorities’ efforts in the crisis caused by the flooding of the salt mine, have proposed two damming projects on the Corund stream to reduce the speed of the water flow. Among other things, these measures would reduce the risk of sudden collapse. The authorities are constantly monitoring the situation, and the measures implemented so far are mainly aimed at protecting both locals and people passing through the area. The state of alert in Praid has been extended for another 30 days following the flooding of the salt mine by the Corund stream.
March. On Saturday, the ‘Bucharest Pride’ march took place in Romania’s capital, organized by ACCEPT Association, the first non-governmental organization in Romania that defends and promotes LGBTQIA+ rights. The march reached its 20th anniversary edition. The marchers carried flags, umbrellas or fans in the colours of the rainbow, the symbol of diversity. Participants chanted slogans against homophobia, discrimination and fear and demanded equal rights for sexual minorities. Also on Saturday, the so-called March of Normality took place, against same-sex civil partnerships, same-sex marriage and adoption of children by gay couples. Some demonstrators carried crosses, icons or the Romanian flag.
Weather. Hot weather will continue to affect in particular southwestern Romania, as well as parts of the south and southeast, where temperatures will be particularly high for this time of year and will cause thermal discomfort, with the local temperature-humidity index (THI) exceeding the critical threshold of 80 units. The sky will be variable, with temporary cloud cover, showers, lightning, wind intensification, and storms (generally gusts of 50-70 km/h) locally in mountainous areas, in the southwest, south, east, southeast, and partially in the center. In short intervals or through accumulation, there will be 20…30 l/sqm of rain and isolated showers of over 40 l/sqm, as well as hail. Maximum temperatures will range between 22 and 34 degrees, and minimum temperatures between 8 and 20 degrees. (MI)
