March 28, 2026
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 28.03.2026, 13:55
FUELS The Romanian government has officially declared a crisis situation on the fuel market. The measure comes into force on Wednesday, April 1, and will be valid until June 30. The aim is to protect the economy and the public in a tense and unstable international context. The first measures include restrictions on diesel and crude oil exports, capping the commercial markups at last year’s average level, and reducing the amount of biofuel in petrol. The authorities intend to take further measures next week, such as cutting excise duties on diesel and petrol. The government is also considering support measures for farmers, facilitating their access to cheap fuel. On Friday, an emergency order was posted for public review, under which farmers will be able to purchase diesel at a lower price, without excise duties and VAT, for works in the vegetable sector. The head of the Smart Energy Association, Dumitru Chisăliţă, claims however that the measures taken by the government so far will only result in a small, short-term decrease in fuel prices.
VISIT The relationship between Romania and Slovakia is solid, based on strong historical, cultural and economic ties, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said on Friday in Bucharest, after a meeting with the PM of Slovakia, Robert Fico. The latter asked for Romania’s support for his country’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2027-2028. Robert Fico was also received by President Nicuşor Dan. The two officials discussed the EU agenda and the impact of the current international crises.
MARCH The 16th annual “March for Life” takes place in Bucharest today. The event aims to draw attention to the importance of support for mothers and children before and after birth. The current edition also emphasises the role of those around them, including partners, family, friends, and members of the community, in supporting pregnant women in difficult situations. The event is supported by the Romanian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bucharest. According to Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church, the “March for Life” promotes the immeasurable value of human life as a gift from God. In turn, the Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archbishop of Bucharest, Aurel Percă, pointed out that human life is sacred from the first moment of its existence, and that every woman and every child deserves real care and support.
DST Romania switches to daylight saving time tonight. Clocks will be set forward one hour, so that 3:00 a.m. becomes 4:00 a.m. The measure is applied annually on the last weekend of March in most European Union countries, for a more efficient use of natural light and to reduce energy consumption.
EARTH The “Earth Hour” campaign turns 20 today. To mark this event aimed at warning against climate change, power will be cut for one hour this evening at the Parliament Palace in Bucharest, the second largest administrative building in the world. The event, which brings together hundreds of millions of people from over 8,000 cities in 190 countries, was first held in the Australian metropolis of Sydney, and then became a global movement. Emblematic buildings around the world, such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Colosseum in Rome, remain in darkness for one hour.
FOOTBALL The Romanian national football team defeated Kosovo 1-0 on Friday night in Pristina, in a Group A match in the 2027 UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifiers. Spain is the leader of the group, followed by Finland, Romania, Kosovo, Cyprus and San Marino. The next matches will take place on March 31: Romania vs San Marino, Finland vs Cyprus and Spain vs Kosovo. The winners of the 9 qualifier groups, as well as the best second-placed team, go straight into the final tournament to be hosted by Albania and Serbia. The other 8 second-placed teams will play against each other in the play-offs. (AMP)
