May 9, 2026 UPDATE
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 09.05.2026, 20:00
EUROPE The Romanian foreign minister Oana Ţoiu Saturday sent a message on Europe Day, underlining the importance of consistency in upholding values such as prosperity and freedom, and pointing out that Europe ‘is not just a blue flag on a building’, but a way of living better. For Romania, 20 years as a European Union member state have meant modernisation and, more importantly, improved living standards, president Nicusor Dan said in turn. During this period, Romania has paid EUR 36 billion and received EUR 110 billion, the president also mentioned. The government celebrated Europe Day with the Victoria Palace lit in the colours of the European Union. The interim PM Ilie Bolojan emphasised that ‘a power mechanism with deep roots in communism has survived’ in Romania for years, a system in which some people would rise through connections rather than competence, and in which public resources ‘would serve networks of influence’ rather than the people. “Today, this system is reacting, as reforms are cutting off its privileges and sources of power. That is why Romania’s modernisation is a tough fight. Europe means the exact opposite: strong institutions, equal law for all, respect for public money and opportunities earned through work,” Bolojan said. A rally themed ‘One way: Europe’ was held on Saturday in Romania’s capital city. EU membership is the firmest guarantee of transparency and justice, the organisers of the event argue.
SURVEY On Europe Day, most Romanians believe EU membership has benefited the country. A recent Eurobarometer survey shows that 69% of Romanians share this opinion and that a growing number of Europeans in general see the EU as a source of stability in a complicated world and give unprecedented support to a common defence and security policy. The survey also shows that most Europeans are concerned with the global situation and the cost of living. 41% of the Romanians surveyed say the biggest economic problems at national level are rising prices and inflation. In the survey, 76% of Europeans believe the EU should support Ukraine until a just and sustainable peace is reached. In Romania, 56% of the interviewees approve of financial and humanitarian support for Kyiv, but only 45% support the financing of military equipment.
JUDICIARY Romania launches the first national cooperation framework on artificial intelligence in the judiciary, the Presidency announced on Saturday. According to the source, the first edition of the ‘Just.AI – Artificial Intelligence at the Service of the Judicial System’ Forum marks the beginning of a long-term strategic approach focusing on how new technologies can support the functioning of justice without affecting the fundamental values of the rule of law. The forum, part of the ‘European Week at Cotroceni Palace’, brought together officials from all the institutions in the judicial system (courts, prosecutors’ offices, criminal investigation bodies) along with academia and researchers, the technology sector, legal professionals and international experts involved in the development and regulation of artificial intelligence. The forum concluded with the signing of the ‘Just.AI – Artificial Intelligence at the Service of the Judicial System’ Memorandum, underlying the first broad institutional framework for cooperation and strategic reflection among the participating authorities and organisations.
ADMINISTRATION Romania’s public administration has systematically operated without transparency, has been oversized and inefficient, and public funding is distributed unfairly. These are the conclusions of a large-scale report on the size, costs and performance of the administrative apparatus, released by the government and based on the data available in 2024 for more than 14,000 public entities subordinated to the government. There are around 1,255,000 filled and paid posts, over 14,500 employees receive public salaries and pensions at the same time, and almost 200,000 people have two or more individual employment contracts, some in the public sector and some in the private sector. On the other hand, there are major inconsistencies in the allocation of governmental and EU resources between counties and administrative-territorial units, without a clear correlation with real needs or administrative performance. The report shows that there are, however, many examples of good practices, where public authorities have good performances in terms of increasing revenues from multiple sources, and cutting expenditures that do not benefit their communities.
SPORTS Romania was defeated by the world leader China, 3-0, on Saturday in the semi-finals of the women’s 2026 World Team Table Tennis Championships in London. In the other smi-final, Japan beat Germany. Romania secured its presence in the top 3 teams, which brings the country its first medal at a World Championships in 26 years. (AMP)
