October 16, 2026
SUMMIT – Romanian President Nicuşor Dan is attending a summit of European leaders in Brussels, where the main topic of discussion is the European Union’s budget for 2028-2034. Talks are tense, as the 27 member states are divided, with some calling for a smaller budget while others want it increased. At a meeting organised by Italy and Romania, 17 leaders from the so-called Friends of Cohesion group adopted a joint declaration calling for an ambitious, fair and balanced budget. EU enlargement is also on the agenda in Brussels, after the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine opened two more negotiating clusters this week. Consultations are also under way on security in the Black Sea region, following attacks on commercial vessels in recent weeks amid the Russian-Ukrainian war. NATO has announced that it will convene a meeting of the North Atlantic Council following Thursday’s meeting between the Romanian president, Bulgaria’s prime minister and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Rutte said the allies would adjust their deterrence posture in the Black Sea region.
Newsroom, 16.10.2026, 13:55
SUMMIT – Romanian President Nicuşor Dan is attending a summit of European leaders in Brussels, where the main topic of discussion is the European Union’s budget for 2028-2034. Talks are tense, as the 27 member states are divided, with some calling for a smaller budget while others want it increased. At a meeting organised by Italy and Romania, 17 leaders from the so-called Friends of Cohesion group adopted a joint declaration calling for an ambitious, fair and balanced budget. EU enlargement is also on the agenda in Brussels, after the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine opened two more negotiating clusters this week. Consultations are also under way on security in the Black Sea region, following attacks on commercial vessels in recent weeks amid the Russian-Ukrainian war. NATO has announced that it will convene a meeting of the North Atlantic Council following Thursday’s meeting between the Romanian president, Bulgaria’s prime minister and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Rutte said the allies would adjust their deterrence posture in the Black Sea region.
GOVERNMENT – Romania’s prime minister-designate, Luca Niculescu, submitted his government programme and the list of proposed ministers to Parliament on Thursday. Hearings for the candidates before the relevant parliamentary committees will take place on Monday and Tuesday, while a joint session of Parliament to vote on the government’s investiture is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. Of the 17 proposed ministers, 11 are from the Social Democratic Party (PSD), while six are independent, including some in key positions such as finance and foreign affairs. According to the prime minister-designate, the government’s first months in office will focus primarily on revising this year’s budget and drawing up next year’s budget, as well as supporting vulnerable people, reviving the economy and strengthening the country’s defence and security. The current cabinet, formed by the National Liberal Party (PNL), Save Romania Union (USR) and the Democratic Alliance of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania (UDMR), and led by Liberal Ilie Bolojan, was dismissed in a no-confidence vote on 5 May. Since then, three prime ministerial nominations put forward by President Nicuşor Dan have failed amid disagreements between the parliamentary parties.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS – Romania’s Foreign Ministry has issued a warning to Romanian citizens who are in Albania or planning to travel there, saying that protests in Tirana have escalated into violence. The unrest could cause disruption, including to road traffic and public transport, and could spread to other cities. In this context, the Foreign Ministry advises Romanian citizens to remain vigilant, strictly follow the recommendations of local authorities and keep themselves informed about developments. Students in Tirana are calling for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign, accusing him of corruption. They are also protesting against the high cost of education. The prime minister has said he will not step down.
THEATRE – The 36th edition of the National Theatre Festival opens in Bucharest today. Until 25 October, 24 venues will host 88 performances. According to the organisers, this year’s theme is “Perfectly Human”, inviting audiences to reflect on human perfection and imperfection, vulnerability, and how people define themselves through their relationships with others, society and technology. The National Theatre Festival also features a series of related events, including radio and television productions, staged readings and discussion sessions.
TABLE TENNIS – Romanian pair Eduard Ionescu and Bernadette Szocs won the bronze medal in the mixed doubles event at the European Table Tennis Championships in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on Thursday. They were beaten 3-0 in the semi-finals by Germany’s Benedikt Duda and Nina Mittelham. Romania has three players through to the women’s singles last 16: Bernadette Szocs, Andreea Dragoman and Elena Zaharia. In the men’s singles, both Romanian players remaining in the competition were eliminated in the last 32. At the previous edition of the championships, Bernadette Szocs won silver medals in both the women’s singles and women’s doubles.
FOOTBALL – Romanian football champions Universitatea Craiova, from the south of the country, have begun their UEFA Conference League campaign, Europe’s third-tier club competition, with a draw. Craiova were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Spain’s Getafe. Next Thursday, the Romanian side will travel to Andorra to face Inter Club d’Escaldes. Meanwhile, Romanian men’s handball champions Dinamo Bucharest suffered a heavy 36-22 home defeat against Barcelona on Thursday evening in the fourth round of Group E in the Champions League. The defending champions won by a bigger margin in Bucharest than they did a week earlier in Catalonia, when they prevailed 34-27. After four rounds, Dinamo are fourth and bottom of the standings, with just one point. (EE)
