March 28, 2026 UPDATE
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 28.03.2026, 20:00
BUDGET Romania’s 2026 state budget and social security budget laws have been published in the Official Journal, so now the most important stage begins: responsible implementation, the finance minister Alexandru Nazare said in a social media post. He emphasised the need for prudence in an increasingly complicated international context, in which global developments can fluctuate. He also added that, with the two laws now in force, predictability is ensured for institutions, local authorities and the business environment, projects can be carried on and social obligations can be met. At the same time, the budget allows for investments from EU funds, an opportunity that must be capitalised on, minister Alexandru Nazare also argued. Romania’s budget is based on a 6.2% decrease in the deficit, an economic growth rate of 1% and a 6.5% inflation rate at the end of the year.
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.
POLITICS The Social Democratic Party president Sorin Grindeanu Saturday launched new criticism against his coalition partners in the National Liberal Party, the Save Romania Union and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania, and especially against the Liberal PM Ilie Bolojan, whom he accused of lacking empathy and making decisions with a negative impact. In a meeting with Social Democratic local elected officials, Sorin Grindeanu said Ilie Bolojan “doesn’t know the first thing about the economy” and that the Social Democrats will not stay in a coalition just for the sake of stability. Grindeanu is currently meeting with party officials in the country, ahead of the April 20 consultations, when the party is expected to decide whether or not to leave the government.
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.
PUBLIC SECTOR The number of employees in public institutions and authorities in Romania was about 1,280,000 in January 2026, around 1,500 more than in the previous month and over 32,000 fewer than January 2025. According to data posted on the Finance Ministry website, almost 64% were in the central public administration, mostly in the ministries of education, interior, defence, finance and healthcare. In January 2026, almost 464,000 people worked in local public administration.
MIDDLE EAST Three Lebanese journalists were killed on Saturday in an Israeli airstrike that targeted their vehicle in southern Lebanon, according to a military source and the media outlets they worked for. The Israeli military, however, said it targeted a member of an elite Hezbollah unit. One month ago this Saturday, on February 28, the United States and Israel launched a massive airstrike against Iran, killing senior Iranian officials, including the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones at civilian and military targets across the region and blocking the Strait of Hormuz, which led to a sharp rise in energy prices. In Lebanon, Hezbollah has opened a second front against Israel, while pro-Iranian militias in Iraq have launched attacks on US bases and the embassy in Iraq and have themselves become targets. The war has so far killed nearly 3,400 people, mostly in Iran and Lebanon. (AMP)
