November 7, 2025
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 07.11.2025, 13:55
WITHDRAWAL – The US Department of Defense’s decision to withdraw 700 American soldiers from Romania undermines US commitments in Europe and to the North Atlantic Alliance, as well as President Donald Trump’s own commitment to achieving lasting peace in Ukraine, 20 American congressmen write in a letter addressed to Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth. They claim that Russia’s drone incursions into Poland, their overflights over Estonian and Romanian territory, as well as Moscow’s use of hybrid warfare against NATO demonstrate that the Russian threat is here to stay. They also state that Romania has consistently met NATO requirements and has been a robust and highly competent host for American soldiers. “Besides its contributions to the defense of the Black Sea and hosting the American Aegis Ashore missile defense detachment, Bucharest has demonstrated a permanent determination in supporting NATO’s collective defense”, the bipartisan American congressmen write. They believe that as the US administration tries to ensure lasting peace in Ukraine, it is vital for the USA to show strength in the face of Russian aggression. “We firmly urge reconsideration of this decision and explanation to Congress and relevant committees of how the Pentagon intends to strengthen the transatlantic relationship and continue its commitments to NATO”, the letter also reads.
UKRAINE – Romania’s Defense Minister, Liviu-Ionuţ Moşteanu, on Thursday met in Bucharest with Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister, Hanna Hvozdiar, on the sidelines of the NATO Defense Industry Forum. Talks focused on regional security developments, support for Ukraine and strengthening NATO’s defense and deterrence posture on the Eastern Flank. The focal point of talks was the opportunities for cooperation between the two states in the defense industry sector. Minister Moşteanu also underlined the openness of the community of European member states, including Romania, for Ukraine’s involvement in European projects and initiatives in the defense sector.
CONGRESS -Today the Social-Democratic Party (PSD) is hosting its Congress in Bucharest. This party is part of the pro-European ruling coalition. The Social Democrats are electing new leadership and changing the party’s statute. The current interim leader, Sorin Grindeanu, the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, is the sole candidate for the presidency. He comes with a new team, consisting of 5 first vice-presidents and 20 vice-presidents, of which 8 are regional and 12 cover activity domains. Grindeanu stated that a new chapter for PSD will begin, based on responsibility, unity and solutions. PSD will modify its statute by removing the term “progressive political party” and introducing the term “party that promotes national, religious and traditional values”. Political pundits see this change as an attempt by the Social Democrats to recover part of the voters they lost to the populist ultranationalist AUR party (in opposition), a self-styled sovereigntist party.
POVERTY -The rate of relative poverty stood at 19% in 2024, with the number of poor people being 3,595,000, according to data published by the National Statistics Institute. The relative poverty rate represents the percentage of poor people who have a disposable income per adult lower than the threshold set at 60% of the average disposable income per adult at the level of the total population. Poverty is the situation where people’s incomes are so low that reaching a standard of living considered acceptable in the society they live in is impossible. These people face multiple disadvantages tied to unemployment, low income, poor living conditions, inadequate healthcare and barriers to accessing education, culture, sport and leisure activities, the Institute specifies. The poverty rate was slightly higher among women than men, with a difference of only 0.1%. The highest incidence of poverty is reported among children up to 18 years old and young people aged 18-24. The highest poverty rates were recorded in the southwest, southeast and northeast, while the lowest was in Bucharest-Ilfov.
FOOTBALL – Romanian football champion FCSB lost to the Swiss side FC Basel 3-1 on Thursday evening away from home, in the fourth round of the Europa League football competition. The match was preceded by a moment of silence in memory of the great Romanian coach Emerich Jenei1, who died Wednesday aged 88. Jenei led Steaua Bucharest in 1986 when it won the European Champions Cup, an unparalleled performance in Romanian football. FCSB has lost its last three matches in Europa League after winning the first round. By contrast, the other Romanian team participating enrolled in continental competitions, Universitatea Craiova, defeated Rapid Vienna 1-0 on Thursday evening away from home, in the third round of Conference League. Universitatea thus achieved its first victory in the main phase. (VP)
