20-26 June, 2026

A look at the headline-making events this past week

Leyla Cheamil, 27.06.2026, 14:00

Talks on forming the new government in Bucharest have reached an impasse

The government proposed by Prime Minister-designate Adrian Veştea failed to secure approval from the Parliament in Bucharest on Monday, nearly two months after the Cabinet led by Liberal Ilie Bolojan was dismissed via a motion of no confidence. The new government needed 233 votes but received only 189. Thus, after two failed nominations, Romanian President Nicuşor Dan once again summoned the leaders of the parliamentary parties to talks, with the intention of appointing a prime minister as soon as possible. Following consultations at Cotroceni Palace, Dan stated that the parties of the former governing coalition—the PSD, PNL, USR, and UDMR—had returned to a “political deadlock,” after the Liberal Party had committed on Tuesday to voting for a minority Social Democratic government but subsequently changed its position. He noted that it is the parties’ responsibility to negotiate among themselves to form a majority for whatever government configuration they deem appropriate. The President also called on political leaders to resume dialogue. “Romania needs a government with full powers,” Nicuşor Dan emphasized.

Romania’s President at the Eastern Flank Summit

Security in the Black Sea region and the future European Union budget, with increased funding for defense, were the big topics that President Nicuşor Dan brought to the attention of the European leaders gathered on Thursday in Gdańsk, Poland, at the Eastern Flank Summit. The event, hosted by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, was also attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. During a joint press conference with the leaders who participated in the meeting, Nicuşor Dan addressed the security situation in the region and Romania’s role. “Together, we are sending a message of unity—that we jointly recognize Russia as a collective threat to our countries—and, at the same time, we are sending a message of solidarity with Ukraine and of continued support for the war it is waging, while also defending Europe,” said Nicușor Dan. “We share the same view regarding the relationship between the European Union and NATO, which must be complementary on the issue of Europe’s defense, and each of us has understood the need to increase spending, which will be channeled into military equipment,” the head of state added.

European Funds for Romania

On Tuesday, Romania received an additional 2.25 billion euros, representing the fourth payment under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the central component of NextGenerationEU, the Commission’s post-pandemic program designed to support the recovery, economic growth, and competitiveness of the member states. Romania’s fourth payment is the only one in which no funds were withheld. This means that the European Commission considers that the Romanian government has fulfilled all the requirements for this stage, specifically reforms and investments. With this payment, Romania has drawn down over 60% of the total financial allocation granted under this program and is set to submit its final payment request by the end of September. Tuesday’s payment was made following a favorable opinion from the Council’s Economic and Financial Committee. Romania’s Recovery and Resilience Plan is funded with 21.41 billion euros, of which 8.4 billion euros remain to be drawn down. The Acting Minister of Investments and European Projects, Dragoş Pîslaru, has stated that significant investments in healthcare, education, and energy have been secured.

Russia Closes the Romanian Consulate in St. Petersburg

The Romanian diplomat serving as acting head of the Consulate General of Romania in St. Petersburg has been declared persona non grata by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow. Furthermore, the Russian side has decided to withdraw its consent for the establishment of that consular post. The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes that, after a Russian drone crashed and exploded over an apartment building in Galați (east), injuring two people, Romania declared the Consul General of the Russian Federation in Constanța persona non grata and ordered the closure of that country’s Consulate General in the Black Sea port city. Romanian President Nicuşor Dan has confirmed that the closure of the Romanian Consulate in Saint Petersburg was a reciprocal measure by the Russian Federation and that there will be no response from the Romanian Foreign Ministry in Bucharest.

Sibiu International Theater Festival

The Sibiu International Theater Festival (center), one of the largest and most important theater festivals in the world, closes its doors on Sunday. Nearly 850 events were included in the program, featuring 5,000 artists from 83 countries.

This year’s theme—SOUL—emphasizes the idea that, above and beyond technology, the soul takes precedence, whether it be that of the artist or the audience member. In keeping with tradition, the festival offers a guide highlighting the day’s most captivating performances, so that people can make the best and most inspired choices. This week, the audience was able to attend two special talks – Silviu Purcărete in conversation with Octavian Saiu and Cathy Hasse, Cosmin Chivu in conversation with Ionuţ Sociu – ,  the performance “Iona,” directed by Silviu Purcărete, “100 Years of Gospel”—a captivating exploration of the history and evolution of gospel music over the past century; and Greek mythology reinterpreted through the universe of the Ultima Vez theater company in the production “The Descendants of the Gods.” (MI)