April 15, 2026
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 15.04.2026, 13:55
Survey. Nearly 40% of Romanians believe that the current domestic political system is so flawed that it must be completely replaced, by any means necessary, according to a poll conducted by the Political Rating Agency. At the same time, nearly half of those surveyed anticipate the collapse of the current PSD-PNL-USR-UDMR governing coalition before the scheduled rotation of prime ministers in April 2027. The Political Rating Agency’s survey also reveals that most Romanians say they are heavily affected by rising prices and fear the impact of the war in Iran on them. On the other hand, a poll conducted by Avangarde shows that 29% of Romanians support Romania aligning with the U.S. in the conflict in Iran, regardless of what other European countries say, while 35% disagree with this approach.
Inflation. In Romania, the annual inflation rate has started to rise again and approached 10% once more last month, with the sharpest price increases seen in services and non-food goods, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS). Electricity and train tickets saw the largest price increases in March compared to the same period in 2025. Among food items, coffee, eggs, and beef saw the sharpest rise. Analysts estimate that inflation will exceed the 10% threshold due to rising fuel and energy prices amid the Gulf crisis.
IMF. The International Monetary Fund has lowered its growth forecast for the Romanian economy this year to 0.7%, down from the 1.4% it projected in October, according to the international financial institution’s latest report. The IMF has also downgraded its forecasts for global economic growth due to the war in Iran. In its annual report, the institution warns that the global economy could be on the brink of recession if oil prices remain above $100 per barrel through 2027. Governments will be tempted to adopt fiscal measures to mitigate the effects of high energy prices, the IMF notes, but warns that this will lead to a significant increase in budget deficits and public debt.
Strike. A strike by Lufthansa flight crew is affecting numerous flights from Romanian airports to and from Germany, and passengers with flights scheduled through Thursday are advised to carefully check their flight status on the airline’s website, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bucharest. Lufthansa pilots have refused to fly due to a prolonged dispute over wages and pensions, which led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights in Germany on Tuesday. Meanwhile, flight attendants are also set to go on strike. Recently, the company’s human resources director warned the unions not to continue the labor dispute, saying that every day of the strike weakens Lufthansa.
Trial. Three men are on trial in the Netherlands for the theft of a 2,500-year-old gold helmet and three bracelets, part of Romania’s national heritage, which were stolen from a Dutch museum early last year. In January 2025, the thieves used explosives and sledgehammers to break into the Drents Museum in northern Netherlands. Police arrested the three suspects within just a few days, but the location of the treasure remained a mystery until earlier this month, when Dutch authorities presented the helmet and two of the bracelets at a press conference held at the museum. The treasures were recovered after authorities reached an agreement with two of the suspects; the third denied any involvement in the heist. The suspects, identified as Jan B. (21), Douglas Chesley W. (37), and Bernhard Z. (35), are charged with theft and property damage to the museum. The whereabouts of the third bracelet are still unknown.
Drones. Radar systems operated by the Romanian Ministry of National Defense detected drones flying near Romanian airspace overnight and this morning, amid repeated attacks by the invading Russian military on civilian and infrastructure targets in neighboring Ukraine, near the river border. The Romanian Air Force activated the Air Policing Combat Service, the spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, Colonel Daniel Nistor, has announced. No incursions into national airspace were reported, and the air alert status was lifted at dawn. The Romanian Armed Forces are maintaining the surveillance and coordination measures necessary to protect the population and the national territory, the spokesperson added.
Exercise. Until April 24, 500 military personnel and specialists from Romania and NATO member countries are participating in an exercise to counter drone threats at the Capu Midia Training Range (southeast). The exercise is organized by the Ministry of National Defense and the NATO Allied Command Transformation, in collaboration with defense industry contractors from Romania and abroad. The Ministry of National Defense states in a press release that the exercise is dedicated to innovation and testing capabilities to counter threats posed by unmanned aerial systems.
Lebanon. Romania is joining the European community in supporting the civilian population of Lebanon, which is facing a humanitarian crisis caused by the security situation in the Middle East, according to authorities in Bucharest. Thus, 15 tons of food, tents, and bedding from state reserves, loaded onto two Ministry of National Defense aircraft, will depart today from the 90th Air Transport Base in Bucharest-Otopeni, bound for Amman, Jordan, and will then arrive in Beirut as part of a multinational humanitarian convoy. The decision was made by the National Committee for Emergency Situations, convened by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, and responds to the request for assistance received by Romania through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, which is funding 75% of the transport costs. (MI)
