May 1, 2025
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 01.05.2025, 14:00
DEFENSE – Romania will increase its defense spending by accessing special funds made available by the European Commission to that end, interim president Ilie Bolojan announced at the end of the meeting of the country’s Supreme Defense Council. The decision will allow Romania to improve its military capabilities without overstraining the national budget. Ilie Bolojan said that the loan is advantageous, with a repayment period of over 40 years and a grace period of 10 years. The investments will be implemented through purchase orders placed by both public and private companies operating in the defense sector. The Minister of National Defense, Angel Tîlvăr, has been mandated to express Romania’s readiness to gradually increase its defense budget by 2030 in negotiations and technical talks in preparation of the NATO summit in the Hague, scheduled for June. Last but not least, the interim president also announced that the Council has approved the National Plan on Military Mobility. The plan stipulates the construction of a new bridge over the Danube as an important project, and that Romania has joined a new north-south mobility corridor.
ELECTION – From Friday to Sunday, Romanians in the diaspora can cast their votes in the presidential election. Romanians can vote in one of the 965 polling stations opened abroad, regardless of whether or not they live or reside outside Romania. Most polling stations are in Italy and Malta – 161, Spain – 147, Great Britain – 108, France and the Principality of Monaco – 69, the Republic of Moldova – 64, the USA – 50, Belgium – 29 and the Netherlands – 23. At the same time, Romanian abroad can resort to postal voting. A total of 6,085 such applications out of the total of 6,496 submitted on the portal www.votstrainatate.ro met the legal requirements, the Permanent Election Authority announced. Most applications for postal voting were registered in Germany, followed by the United Kingdom, Switzerland, France, the United States, Italy and Spain. In Romania, voters are expected to hit the polls on May 4 to vote for one of the 11 candidates enrolled in the race. The second round of the election is slated for May 18.
MAY DAY MINI-HOLIDAY – Over 50,000 tourists are expected to reach resorts on the Romanian Black Seacoast for the May 1 mini-holiday. Corina Martin, the president of the Resto Constanţa Employers’ Association and the secretary general of the Federation of Employers in the Romanian Hospitality Industry, says that, this year as well, the most sought-after resorts are Mamaia, Mamaia Nord, Vama Veche, but also Eforie. The first tourists of the season choose to spend their May Day mini-holiday at the seacoast in Romania mainly for the lively events that await tourists, especially in Mamaia and Vama Veche, including Sunwaves, Festival du Bonheur, many concerts and events in clubs and restaurants, Corina Martin pointed out.
MAY 1– “Every job is important. Every effort counts. Romania is moving forward because of you” Simona Bucura Oprescu wrote in a post on a social network marking the International Labor Day on May 1. In turn, the National Trade Union Bloc reaffirmed its commitment to defending the rights of workers who support the present and future of Romania, according to a post on its official Facebook page. “Romania needs a reset of its values in which work is respected, with decent wages, safe working conditions and real chances for every citizen to lead a dignified life at home, not far from their family”, the post also reads. In this context, the trade union bloc calls for investments in education, health, social welfare and the creation of stable and well-paid jobs, considering that, in the face of economic and social challenges, “it is time to strongly call for policies that put people first, not capital”.
AGREEMENT – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has hailed the agreement signed by the United States and Ukraine on the joint exploitation of Ukraine’s mineral resources, describing it as a milestone for the prosperity of both countries. It is an important step towards ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, Marco Rubio also said. After months of tense negotiations, the two parties agreed to establish an investment fund for reconstruction and stimulating Ukraine’s economic recovery at the end of the war. For Kyiv, the agreement is considered essential to ensure the country’s access to military aid in the future. The latest version of the agreement does not mention any concrete security guarantees for Ukraine, but shows that Washington and Kyiv have agreed to affirm the long-term strategic alignment between the two countries, as well as US support for Ukraine’s security, prosperity and reconstruction, and its integration into the global economy. The agreement represents a victory for Kyiv, which has been trying to get a clear sign of support from the Trump administration, analysts say.
INVESTMENT – The European Commission announced that, as part of the 2024 edition of the European Defense Fund, it will invest almost 1 billion USD to create a strong and innovative defense industry in Europe. All projects have both an innovation and a defense component. Romania appears on the winning list with applications submitted by the Defense Ministry or other private companies. One of these is “Auriga”, whereby Romania and other states are developing technology and standards for armored assault vehicles for the infantry. The project is valued at €30 million, and European funding stands at €25 million. Another project is “Citadel”, focusing on cyber capabilities, with a total value of €68 million, of which €48 million represents non-reimbursable funding. Another example is “Ninja 2”, focused on correcting guidance errors made by satellite systems in hitting targets on the battlefield. The project has a value of €29 million and is funded by the Commission at a rate of 98%. (VP)
