October 13, 2026
A roundup of local and international news.
Newsroom, 13.10.2026, 13:55
Politics. Prime Minister designate Luca Niculescu held further talks on Monday with parliamentary parties and groups in an effort to secure the needed 233 votes. He has suggested there are alternatives to the increasingly unlikely possibility of forming a political government, namely a hybrid format or a technocratic cabinet backed by a six-month political agreement. However, the key parties whose votes he needs are still at odds with each other.
While the Social Democrats are in favour of forming the government with the National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania, the Liberals, led by Ilie Bolojan, have rejected the possibility. As a result, the Social Democrats have said they are seriously considering early elections, although talks with the Prime Minister designate appear to be moving in the right direction. The National Liberal Party has maintained a firm position, categorically refusing to join a coalition government alongside the Social Democrats. At the same time, the Liberals warn that recruiting Liberal ministers without the party leadership’s approval would destroy any chance of the new cabinet getting the party’s vote.
During talks with Luca Niculescu, the Save Romania Union ruled out supporting a government that includes Social Democratic ministers, while the group of national minorities have expressed firm support for the Niculescu cabinet but called for measures that would improve people’s lives. Luca Niculescu is expected to submit his governing programme and list of ministers to Parliament on Thursday. His priorities include a budget revision, the adoption of next year’s budget, energy-related measures and economic recovery.
Economy. The International Monetary Fund has revised downwards its forecast for the Romanian economy this year, projecting a 0.5% contraction instead of the 0.7% growth predicted in April, according to its latest World Economic Outlook report published on Tuesday. The IMF also slightly lowered its forecast for Romania’s GDP growth in 2027 to 2.2%, down from the 2.5% projected in spring. The IMF is also pessimistic regarding Romania’s progress in reducing its current account deficit, with its latest estimates indicating it will fall to only 7% of GDP this year, compared to the 6.8% forecast in spring.
Frigate. The King Ferdinand frigate has returned to the Constanța military port on the Black Sea after taking part in the Sea Guardian NATO Operation in the Mediterranean. This is the ninth mission involving the Romanian Naval Forces as part of the NATO operation. The Romanian crew carried out specific maritime traffic surveillance and monitoring missions aimed at maintaining security along international commercial routes.
EU. The Republic of Moldova and the European Union are today opening negotiations on two additional thematic clusters, namely the internal market and competitiveness and inclusive growth, as part of the fourth accession conference. Negotiations on the same two clusters will also be opened with Ukraine.
Drone. A Maltese-flagged cargo ship was struck by an aerial drone last night in the Black Sea, approximately 15 nautical miles off the Bulgarian coastal town of Biala, the press office of the Varna Regional Administration announced on Tuesday. All 15 crew members were evacuated. The vessel was en route from Turkey to the Republic of Moldova.
Tennis. World no. 16 Sorana Cîrstea of Romania saw a surprise defeat at the hands of China’s Hanyu Guo, ranked 240 in the world, in her opening round of the WTA 1000 tournament in Wuhan, China. In the final season of her professional career, Romania’s highest-ranked player lost in three sets 1-6, 7-6, 7-5. (CM)
