May 28, 2025
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 28.05.2025, 13:55
Consultations – The new president of Romania, Nicuşor Dan, has, today, a first round of informal consultations with representatives of parliamentary parties, for the formation of a future government, declared pro-European. Representatives of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) (the largest parliamentary group) have not yet decided whether they will be part of the government and say that it is important to protect the population’s income and purchasing power, because if citizens have major economic problems, one cannot talk about a prosperous country. The National Liberal Party (PNL) supports its leader, Ilie Bolojan, for the position of prime minister. So does the Save Romania Union (USR), whose interim president, Dominic Fritz, states that the reforms announced by President Dan must be implemented. The Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) has an open mandate for the measures that must be taken, as well as regarding the governing formula – declared the president of the party, Kelemen Hunor. From the opposition, the representatives of Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) and S.O.S. Romania announced that they would not participate in the discussions, but the Party of Young People (POT) confirmed their presence in the consultations.
Floods – The storms and torrential rains of the last few days have created problems in several areas of Romania: courtyards were flooded, trees fell, a railway line was affected, a field and a bridge collapsed, and some villages remained isolated. In some localities in Botoşani County (northeast) the population could be evacuated. And the Praid Salt Mine (center), one of the most important tourist attractions in Romania, is temporarily closed due to massive water infiltration. This situation led to the immediate cessation of all activities, both production and tourism. The Praid Salt Mine is visited annually by hundreds of thousands of tourists. In the halls located 120 meters in the underground, playgrounds, recreation areas, an ecumenical chapel and a cinema hall have been set up. Due to its beneficial microclimate, it is recommended for both healthy and sick people, for the regeneration of the body. The Environment Minister, Mircea Fechet, has stated that the situation is worrying and that it is possible that May will be among the rainiest periods in history.
Bookfest – The 18th edition of the Bookfest International Book Fair, organized by the Romanian Publishers Association, is taking place in Bucharest as of today. 155 exhibitors and 150 publishing houses from Romania and Portugal – this year’s guest of honor – await reading enthusiasts at approximately 450 events until Sunday. The five days of the book fair do not only bring events, but also promotions, discounts, attractive personalized offers for a series of titles and many surprises. The Casa Radio Publishing House, of the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Corporation, is also present at Bookfest, participating with over 150 titles, especially audiobooks and music albums.
Statistics The three-month ROBOR index, based on which the cost of consumer loans in lei with variable interest is calculated in Romania, increased on Tuesday to 7.15% per year, from 7.10%, according to data published by the National Bank of Romania. At the beginning of this year, the index was 5.92%, but it began to increase at the beginning of May, after the first round of the presidential election. The Romanian national currency depreciated against the main currencies, the euro and the US dollar, but gained ground against the Swiss franc. Also on Tuesday, it was announced that assets managed by investment funds have increased in the last 10 years by over 50%, reaching almost 50 billion lei (the equivalent of about 10 billion Euros) at the end of the first quarter of this year. Investment fund managers believe that, despite large deficits and high interest rates in Romania, the fact that the energy and banking sectors are performing well and are well represented on the stock market could contribute to a positive evolution of the capital market in the coming period.
Ukrainians – Two Ukrainian citizens who illegally crossed the border into Romania in difficult weather conditions were extracted from the Maramureş Mountains (north) on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, the director of the Maramureş County Public Mountain Rescue Service, Dan Benga informed. The two were taken over by the competent authorities in order to carry out the procedures imposed in such situations. Over 49,000 people were detained in Russia-invaded Ukraine, because they tried to flee the country by illegally crossing the border, after the imposition of the martial law in 2022, the Ukrainian border guard service announced last week as quoted by international press agencies. Ukrainian men between 18 and 60 years old are prohibited from leaving the country, with some exceptions, and those who want to escape military mobilization cross the border illegally, sometimes risking their lives. Most pass through the Transcarpathia region (west), covered by mountains and forests, located on the border with Romania and Hungary. On the Romanian territory, dozens have died from injuries, due to exhaustion or difficult weather conditions. In return, hundreds have survived thanks to mountain rescuers.
Discussion – Romania’s President Nicuşor Dan has officially confirmed his telephone conversation with his American counterpart Donald Trump. In a message posted today on the social network X (formerly Twitter), Dan declared himself honored by this conversation and thanked the White House leader for his warm congratulations and strong leadership. The Romanian President has emphasized that the United States is our country’s closest ally and vital strategic partner. He reaffirmed his firm commitment to deepening the Strategic Partnership in all shared priorities. Nicuşor Dan has also said that he looks forward to closely cooperating with President Trump and the Washington administration. (LS)
