April 23, 2026

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsroom, 23.04.2026, 13:55

Crisis. The Social Democratic Party is to go ahead with plan to withdraw from the 4-party government. Social Democratic ministers are today expected to submit their resignations from the cabinet led by the Liberal Ilie Bolojan, stepping down from six ministerial posts, namely labour, justice, agriculture, energy, transport and healthcare, and a position of deputy prime minister. The position of secretary general of the government would also be vacated. Following these withdrawals, the cabinet will change its political composition and only rely on the support of the National Liberal Party, the Save Romania Union and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania. The Social Democrats decided to withdraw their support for the prime minister and asked him to resign, something the latter refused to do.

President Nicuşor Dan, as a mediator, held talks on Wednesday with the leaders of all parties in the ruling coalition, in an attempt to find a solution to maintain the country’s stability and retain a pro-European government. The consultations ended, however, without a plan to solve the current political deadlock, with political leaders standing by their positions. At the end of the talks, president Nicuşor Dan gave assurances that Romania is a functional state despite differences of opinion at political level.

Government. The government has today adopted an emergency order providing for clearer authorisation conditions for companies bringing in foreign workers, as well as a tighter control of these companies, the reduction of bureaucracy and the digitalisation of procedures. Also, the order provides for clearer obligations for employers with respect to the salary granted to workers, accommodation and working conditions, and, for penalties in case of failure to comply.

Anniversary. Today and tomorrow, the National Bank of Romania is holding the sixth edition of an Open Days event to mark the 146th anniversary of its establishment. Guided tours provide the public with access to the most spectacular rooms in the old headquarters of the National Bank in the centre of Bucharest, information about the history of the Bank and entry to the Bank’s Museum. Visitors are also able to discover the fascinating history of the national currency in an exhibition entitled  “Money talks to us: the history of the Leu from metal to polymer”, which showcases some of the gold bars that are part of Romania’s international reserve.

Summit. Romania will be represented by president Nicușor Dan at an informal summit of the European Union hosted by Nicosia, in Cyprus. EU heads of state and government are meeting tonight to discuss the current geopolitical situation, in particular the war in Ukraine and the tensions in the Middle East. The Union’s long-term budget is also on the agenda.

Deficit. Romania’s budget deficit has decreased from 9.3% of GDP in 2024 to 7.9% in 2025, according to Eurostat data. In a Facebook post, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said this is the result of measures to cut expenses and boost revenues taken in the second half of last year, but also of the use of European funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Romania still has the highest deficit level in the European Union, but also the largest correction, Ilie Bolojan added. The faster the correction is, the sooner healthy economic growth can begin, and this will be reflected in people’s living standards, the prime minister also posted.

Feast day. Christians, including those from Romania, today celebrate the Holy Great Martyr George, a 4th-century martyr and patron saint of the Romanian Land Forces. Almost one million Romanians are named after the saint. A general in the Roman army during the reign of Emperor Diocletian, Saint George fell victim to the persecution against Christians. He was imprisoned and tortured in order to give up his faith, but he refused and was executed. The relic of the head of Saint George was brought on Wednesday from Mount Athos, in a pilgrimage to the Pantocrator Monastery in southern Romania. For the first time in Romania, the relics will be on display until April 28. Last year, the Pantocrator Monastery hosted the complete relics of Saint Empress Helena, which very rarely leave the Venetian church where they are kept. (CM)