Deadlines loom as high-stakes reforms stall in Bucharest
Time is running out for Romania to lock in billions of euros from the European Union. With the deadline for its National Recovery and Resilience Plan just days away on August 31, crucial reforms remain deadlocked in Bucharest.
Daniela Budu, 26.08.2026, 14:00
Romania has entered the final stretch to complete its promised investments and reforms under the EU recovery scheme. Billions are on the line, but political consensus remains out of reach.
On Tuesday, President Nicușor Dan held talks with former governing coalition leaders to unblock the Unified Wage Law—a key recovery milestone. The meeting ended without a breakthrough. Romania now risks missing a target that is already three years overdue, jeopardizing 770 million euros in funds.
Tensions over the bill are running high. A draft released last month by Labor Minister Dragoș Pîslaru sparked public sector strikes. A revised version pushed late last week satisfied political leaders but reignited union pushback.
So far, only PNL and USR support the latest draft. USR argues a balance must be struck between social demands and budget reality. UDMR insists wages must not drop, while PSD demands a fairer pay scale. Meanwhile, interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan warned on national television that failing to pass the reform could severely derail the country’s fiscal stability in the coming years.
Political battles are also stalling the Integrity Law reform. USR lawmakers introduced a fresh draft to strengthen the National Integrity Agency and digitalize procedures without retroactive effect. However, recent legal tweaks to integrity rules have raised alarm in Brussels. European political leaders from the EPP and Renew groups have urged the European Commission to make clear: EU cash strictly depends on upholding core rule-of-law principles.
On top of that, a law integrating renewable hydrogen into industry and transport remains unfinished—putting Romania’s fifth payment request at risk.
If Bucharest submits payment request number five, it will reach roughly 10.6 billion euros in recovery grants, leaving another 2.58 billion still on the table. Romanian officials say they plan to file the sixth and final payment request by September 30th—provided the clock doesn’t run out first. (VP)
