May 14, 2026 UPDATE
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 14.05.2026, 20:00
Consultations with political parties, scheduled for Monday
President Nicușor Dan will hold consultations with parliamentary parties over the structure of the new government, the Presidency reports, after a motion of no-confidence toppled the minorty pro-Western government, made up of PNL, USR and UDMR on May 5.
EU recovery funds (PNRR)
On Thursday, the European Commission approved Romania’s fourth payment request, totaling over €2.6 billion, under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the cornerstone of the NextGenerationEU program. According to Radio Romania’s Brussels correspondent, these funds are earmarked for sustainable forest management, the decarbonization of transport and energy, tax reform, public pensions, and infrastructure for both healthcare and disability services.
However, a warning comes from the Minister of European Investments and Projects, Dragoș Pîslaru: Romania must hit nearly 40 remaining targets and milestones by the end of August. Failure to do so could trigger a €15 billion penalty, a sum that effectively eclipses the remaining balance of the entire program. To date, Romania has submitted four payment requests, recouping €10.72 billion, accounting for roughly half of its total allocation.
Customs chief placed under arrest
Mihai Savin, head of the Romanian Customs Authority, was detained Thursday and taken to the Bucharest Court of Appeal Prosecutor’s Office for questioning. According to judicial sources, the case, led by the Economic Crime Investigation Directorate, revolves around allegations of forgery and official misconduct. Savin is accused of retroactively issuing a “mission order” in an attempt to protect an employee from losing their driver’s license. Two other officials from Galați were also detained in connection with the investigation. Savin had been appointed to the post in January by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan.
Anti-corruption crackdown in Ukraine
Ukraine’s High Anti-Corruption Court has ordered 60 days of preventive detention for Andriy Yermak, a former presidential advisor suspected of involvement in a major embezzlement scheme. Yermak, 54, served as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s right-hand man from 2020 through late 2025, becoming one of the country’s most powerful figures. He resigned last November shortly after anti-corruption investigators searched his home regarding an energy sector probe. In this latest scandal, Yermak is accused of participating in a ring that laundered roughly 460 million hryvnias (approx. €8.8 million) through a luxury real estate development near Kyiv.
Tennis: Cîrstea’s Rome run ends
Romanian tennis player Sorana Cîrstea fell short of the WTA 1,000 final in Rome. She was defeated on Thursday by American Coco Gauff in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. Despite the loss, Cîrstea leaves the Foro Italico with 390 WTA points and her best-ever career performance at the Italian Open.
Football roundup
Universitatea Craiova have won the Romanian Cup for the eighth time. Following a scoreless 120 minutes of play in Sibiu, Craiova edged out Universitatea Cluj 6-5 in a dramatic penalty shootout. This marks the club’s first cup title since 2021, while Cluj remains with their solitary 1965 trophy.
In Italy, Romanian manager Cristian Chivu led Internazionale Milano to a 2-0 victory over Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico to lift the Coppa Italia. Having already secured the Serie A title, Inter has now completed its third-ever league and cup double. In a poetic twist, Chivu was a player for the Nerazzurri during their last double in 2010, the same year they famously won the Champions League. (VP)
