May 11, 2026 UPDATE
A roundup of local and international news.
Newsroom, 11.05.2026, 19:47
Consultations. New consultations are expected in Bucharest between political parties and President Nicușor Dan regarding the formation of a new government. Meanwhile, parliamentary parties are examining solutions to end the political crisis. Last week, the minority Bolojan government, made up of the National Liberal Party, the Save Romania Union and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania, was dismissed by a no-confidence motion initiated by the Social Democratic Party, their former partner in the ruling coalition, and the populist, ultra-nationalist and self-styled “sovereignist” party, the Alliance for the Union of Romanians. The Social Democrats have called on all MPs to form a new pro-European majority. The Liberals and the Save Romania Union are reluctant to resume cooperation with the Social Democrats, though some Liberals are discussing an alliance between the two. Other voices within the Liberal Party argue that the party’s decision to move into opposition was made too hastily. For its part, the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania expressed readiness to contribute to a swift solution, warning that a prolonged political crisis negatively impacts the economy. Meanwhile, the Alliance for the Union of Romanians believes it can propose a Prime Minister capable of correcting the errors of Ilie Bolojan’s administration.
Summit A summit of the Bucharest Nine Format and the Nordic Countries will take place this Wednesday in Bucharest, co-chaired by the presidents of Romania and Poland. The meeting will focus on strengthening the security and defence of NATO’s Eastern Flank, as well as preparations for the NATO summit scheduled for July in Ankara. Alongside Romanian President Nicușor Dan, the list of participants will include NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and leaders from B9 member states and Nordic countries. The United States will be represented by Thomas DiNanno, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. The Bucharest Nine Format, initiated in 2015 by Romania and Poland, brings together countries on NATO’s Eastern Flank. The last B9 summit held in Bucharest took place in 2022.
Statistics. The National Institute of Statistics of Romania announced today that the trade balance deficit in the first three months of the year decreased by almost 10%, falling to seven billion and 700 million euros, compared to the same period last year. Between January 1 and March 31, 2026, Romanian exports of goods and services amounted to about 24 billion euros, up by 1%, and imports amounted to approximately 32 billion, down by 1.7%. Almost 75% of Romania’s trade took place within the EU, the most traded products being machinery and transport equipment.
Cannes. Four Romanian productions are in competition at the Cannes International Film Festival, which gets under way on Tuesday in the south of France. Cristian Mungiu’s latest film, “Fjord”, starring Romanian-American actor Sebastian Stan, is vying for the Palme d’Or, along with 21 other productions. Stan, who became famous after appearing in the Marvel franchise, said before shooting began that it was a great challenge to speak Romanian again after 34 years. Often criticised for favouritism, the Cannes festival has selected a large number of male and female directors this year, who have not been at the festival before. Honorary awards will be given to the director of the Lord of the Rings trilogies, Peter Jackson, and the legend of cinema and music, Barbara Streisand. According to the Romanian Cultural Institute in Paris, the 2026 edition brings exceptional visibility to Romania. In addition to “Fjord”, the films “Diary of a Chambermaid”, directed by Radu Jude, “Atlas of the Universe” by Paul Negoescu and “Titanic Ocean” directed by Konstantina Kotzamani are screened in different competitions. (CM)
