May 24, 2022

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Newsroom, 24.05.2022, 13:55

MEASURES A new set of social and economic measures agreed on by the ruling
coalition made up of the Social Democratic Party and the National Liberal Party
will take effect in Romania as of July 1. The measures include postponements of
bank loan repayments for citizens and businesses struggling with financial
problems, as well as support for low-income pensioners. The government will
also take steps to ensure fiscal consolidation and public deficit commitments. The
costs of this set of measures reach EUR 1.1 bln.

POLL Six out of 10 Romanians (58%) believe cutting consumption is the
easiest solution for the financial difficulties caused by the rising inflation,
says a survey made public today. In April, the inflation rate reached a record
13.8%, well above the National Bank’s 12.5% forecast for 2022. According to the
survey, 67% of the respondents see the government of Romania as responsible for
this inflation rate. Three-quarters of Romanians also believe inflation is
higher in Romania than in other countries. The respondents say the most
substantial price rises are witnessed for foodstuffs (77%), fuel (77%) and
utilities (electricity and gas) – 70%. In this context, 58% say reducing
consumption could solve the inflation problem, but pay raises are also
considered as solutions, and so is emigration. The survey was conducted online,
between April 20 and 26.

IMF The International Monetary Fund managing director Kristalina
Georgieva said on Monday that while a recession of the world’s major economies
is not expected, it is not out of the question either. The global economic
prospects have worsened since the IMF’s downward adjustment of its 2022
forecasts, owing to the war in Ukraine, the slow-down of China’s economy and
the global price shocks, especially in the foodstuff sector. ‘In a short period
of time…the horizon has darkened,’ Kristalina Georgieva said. In January, the
IMF estimated that this year the global economy will grow by 4.4%, but last
month the forecast was adjusted to 3.6%.

NATO NATO fighter jets deployed to military bases in Romania carry on their
missions to ensure the integrity of the Allied air space, the Romanian defence
ministry said. In less than 6 months, Italian Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft
stationed at the Mihail Kogălniceanu base in south-eastern Romania reported a
combined 1,000 hours of flight in NATO missions protecting the Romanian air
space. Air missions are paired with missions of the NATO Battlegroup set up in
Romania in the wake of Russia’s invading neighbouring Ukraine.

REFUGEES The number of Ukrainian nationals entering Romania on Monday was 2.4%
smaller than on the previous day, reaching 7,709, the Romanian border police
announced. Since the start of the crisis, more than one million refugees crossed
the border into Romania. Meanwhile, new checkpoints will be opened on Romania’s
border with Ukraine, allowing the Siret checkpoint, in the north-east, where
trucks are currently waiting up to 14 hours to leave the country, to give
priority to humanitarian assistance shipments. In a first stage, a checkpoint
will be opened at Vicovu de Sus (north) for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes, and
another one at Racovăţ (north-east) for vehicles of up to 7 tonnes. Later on, a
new checkpoint will also be operational in Ulma (north-east).

TENNIS The Romanian tennis player Ana Bogdan Ana Bogdan (93 WTA) was
defeated on Monday by Victoria Azarenka of Belarus (15 WTA), 6-7 (7-9), 7-6
(7-1), 6-2, in the first round of the Roland Garros Grand Slam tournament. Irina
Begu was also scheduled to play on Monday against Jasmine Paolini of Italy, but
the match was suspended because of the rain in the 3rd set. On
Tuesday 3 other Romanians, Simona Halep, Irina Bara and Mihaela Buzărnescu will
play in the main draw. Sorana Cîrstea qualified in the second round on Sunday,
while Gabriela Ruse lost her first round. Halep, seed no. 19, is a Roland
Garros champion in 2018 and a finalist in 2014 and 2017. (AMP)