May 27, 2025 UPDATE
A roundup of local and international news.
Newsroom, 27.05.2025, 19:50
President. Romania’s president Nicuşor Dan on Tuesday had a telephone conversation with the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, during which he emphasised his country’s commitment to a strong and safe European Union. Von der Leyen congratulated Nicuşor Dan on his inauguration as president of Romania, saying that “together”, they must show everyone that a strong Europe, with a strong Romania in its midst, can provide solutions. In another development, President Dan said he would start talks on Wednesday with the parliamentary parties to form a new government. He said he wished all pro-European parties to enter the government, namely the Social Democratic Party, the National Liberal Party, the Save Romania Union and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania in order to ensure a solid majority in Parliament, with a positive impact on the country’s economic and financial situation. The Social Democrats are yet to decide whether they enter government or stay in opposition.
Investigation. The former independent presidential candidate, the pro-Russian extremist Călin Georgescu on Tuesday went to the General Prosecutor’s Office, where prosecutors informed him of the expansion of the criminal investigation against him, after Georgescu quoted on TV Romanian inter-war far right leader Corneliu Zelea Codreanu. Prosecutors will be investigating Georgescu for publicly promoting the cult of persons guilty of acts of genocide against humanity and war crimes, as well as for publicly promoting fascist, racist and xenophobic ideas. The former presidential candidate is also under investigation for six other crimes. He announced he would withdraw from politics.
- The Council of the European Union on Tuesday adopted a regulation establishing the Security Action for Europe (SAFE), a new EU financial instrument that will support member states willing to invest in industrial production for the defence through joint procurement. According to a statement from the EU Council, the objective is to boost production capacity, ensuring the availability of defence equipment when needed, as well as to address existing capacity gaps, thus strengthening the EU’s overall defence preparedness. Through this new instrument, the EU is making 150 billion euros available to interested member states, based on national plans. The payments will be made in the form of long-term loans at competitive costs.
Education. Romania has expanded its education system but there are significant disparities in terms of attendance and results between the rural and urban areas, says an OECD report on education presented at the Romanian Academy on Tuesday. Enrollment is under the OECD average at all levels with significant differences in the preschooling and higher education. Students in the rural area have a lower probability to be included in various education programmes, being more prone to dropout and are significantly underrepresented in the tertiary education system, the same sources say. According to the OECD report, the Roma population, which is underrepresented in poor rural areas, remains one of the largest marginalised groups in Romania, with higher dropout rates and lower participation in the preschooling, schooling and tertiary education systems. According to the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment, PISA, nearly 4 out of 10 students have performances under competence levels in reading and sciences and 5 out of 10 in mathematics. The report notes that Romania has introduced policies aimed at improving the results of vulnerable students, including through the extension of social support for disenfranchised students to help them complete their higher studies and have access to tertiary education.
Weather. In Romania, the weather will remain cold in the northeastern half, while in the rest of the country, temperatures will be close to the averages for this time of the year. Rain showers are expected, with weak to moderate wind speeds and highs of 13 to 25 degrees Celsius and lows of 7 to 15 degrees. On Tuesday, the National Meteorological Administration issued an orange code warning of heavy rainfall in place until Thursday morning in 14 counties, as well as two yellow codes of precipitation and wind, for areas in eastern, central and southern Romania. Storms and rainfalls are expected across most of the country. By Thursday, in the northern and central areas where the orange code is in place, the amount of precipitation is expected to reach 50 – 70 l/sq m, even 80 in some places. Another yellow code for bad weather will be in force until Wednesday, with wind speeds hitting 50 – 60 km/h and strong gusts in the mountains. The National Institute of Hydrology and Water Management also issued on Tuesday a red code warning of floods in place until Thursday on rivers in 11 counties, as well as an orange code of floods for watercourses in the east, center and south. The General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations has mobilised additional resources in the counties where torrential rains and floods are expected.
Tennis. Romania’s Anca Todoni on Tuesday lost in straight sets to Jessica Pegula of the US in the opening round at Roland Garros. Two other Romanian players have already qualified for the second round. Gabriela Ruse secured a two-set win on Monday against McCartney Kessler of the USA, while Jaqueline Cristian defeated Kimberly Birrell of Australia, also in straight sets. Ruse will be taking on Paula Bardosa of Spain in the second round, while Cristian will be up against Sara Bejlek of Czechia.
