September 23, 2026
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 23.09.2026, 20:00
Prime Minister. The Romanian prime minister-designate, Liberal MEP Siegfried Mureşan, has stated that he has the support of the PNL, USR, and UDMR, and that he has spoken with representatives of national minorities in Parliament. The president of the PSD (the leading opposition party), Sorin Grindeanu, whose party has decided not to support the proposed cabinet, called on Mureşan on Wednesday to resign, since his government would not secure enough votes in Parliament. The parties supporting the prime minister-designate do not have the 233 votes needed for his confirmation. Siegfried Mureşan has stated that the government’s program aims to prioritize economic growth over public debt. He also said that his government will reform state-owned companies and reduce energy bills for households and businesses. Mureşan further promised that there will be no tax increases during his term. According to the established schedule, on Monday, the candidates for ministerial positions will be heard by the relevant committees, and on Tuesday, a vote will be held in a joint plenary session on the composition of the government and the governing program. We recall that the Romanian government led by Liberal Ilie Bolojan—composed of the PNL, USR, and UDMR—was dismissed in May through a no-confidence motion initiated by its former coalition partners, the PSD and the populist, ultra-nationalist opposition party AUR. Last week, President Nicuşor Dan appointed Siegfried Mureşan to form a government, following two other failed nominations. If the government formed by Siegfried Mureşan is rejected by the legislature, Romania could face early elections.
UN. The threat posed by the Russian Federation is not limited to Ukraine; Europe is the target of a hybrid war that includes cyber attacks, disinformation campaigns, sabotage, and disruptions to critical infrastructure, with the intent of undermining citizens’ trust in democratic institutions and discouraging support for Ukraine. The statement was made on Wednesday by Romanian President Nicuşor Dan in his address to the UN General Assembly in New York. “As the EU member state with the longest border with Ukraine, Romania has directly felt the effects of this war through repeated violations of our airspace,” the president said. According to the head of state, Bucharest will continue to support the resilience of neighboring Moldova, the second-most affected country by this war. On the other hand, Nicuşor Dan stated in New York that “Romania strengthens Europe’s resilience,” noting that it “serves as a gateway connecting Europe and the rest of the world,” as it is located “at the intersection of the Danube, the Black Sea, and the main trade corridors.” At the same time, “Romania is open to business and innovation. We are a credible and reliable partner, ready to contribute to shared prosperity,” the head of state added.
Security. Security in the Black Sea region, energy security, and the strategic partnership with the U.S. were on the agenda of Romania’s acting Foreign Minister, Oana Ţoiu, during her participation in the United Nations General Assembly. According to a statement from the Romanian Foreign Ministry in Bucharest, the minister also held, among other things, meetings with UN officials, bilateral meetings with representatives of the U.S. Congress, and participated in the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers, which was also attended by her counterparts from Australia, India, South Korea, and Japan.
UNESCO. Romania’s National Commission for UNESCO announced on Wednesday that it will mark the 70th anniversary of the country’s accession to UNESCO and the establishment of the National Commission with the UNESCO 70 – ROMANIA GALA. According to a press release from the institution, the event will take place on Monday, September 28, at the Bucharest National Opera, under the High Patronage of the President of Romania. For Romania, membership in UNESCO means both participation in international cooperation and the recognition and protection of cultural and natural values that are part of the universal heritage, the press release states. Romania has 11 sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, of which 9 are cultural heritage sites and 2 are natural heritage sites.
Energy. Romania must focus on energy production from renewable sources, as well as on expanding storage capacity, according to Cristian Buşoi, State Secretary at the Ministry of Energy. He has also stated that the current systems were insufficient during the hot summer months, leading to costly imports during peak hours. The Ministry of Energy aims to develop storage capacity financed through the Modernization Fund.
Inflation. In Romania, inflation slowed last month; however, the cost of services continued to rise at a double-digit rate due to price increases for energy and fuel. Although the annual inflation rate fell by nearly two percentage points in August to just over 6 percent, services continued to become more expensive at a much faster rate, rising by nearly 11.3 percent over the past year. By comparison, non-food goods rose by about 6.4 percent, and food prices by just over 2.6 percent. The impact is more severe for low-income households, as expenses for utilities, transportation, and healthcare account for a larger share of their budget. (MI)
