October 29, 2026 UPDATE
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 29.10.2026, 20:00
BUDGET On Friday, the government of Romania approved the first budget adjustment this year. PM Luca Niculescu explained that the funding is intended to address urgent needs across several sectors. The finance ministry has posted for public review a draft emergency order concerning this revision. Additional funds are earmarked for the ministries of labour, agriculture, healthcare, and home affairs, as well as to the Healthcare Security Fund. Budget cuts are applied to several other ministries and the Court of Accounts. According to the finance ministry, this adjustment will increase the budget deficit by approximately EUR 660 million. The adjustment keeps the cash deficit target at 6.2% of GDP.
POWER The Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant remains on alert for another 30 days. Due to the very low flow rate on the Danube, the two reactors cannot be brought back online this month either. The plant was completely shut down in August, as the severe drought affected the cooling process. The reactors previously accounted for approximately 20% of Romania’s electricity output. The energy ministry warns that prospective issues with electricity supply may arise during peak hours. As such, measures such as increasing production, relying on imports, or reducing consumption may be needed to preserve the balance of the energy system. Energy prices and the risk of further price hikes this winter were at the centre of discussions among European Union energy ministers, who met in Luxembourg on Thursday. The European Commission warned that, while the supply itself is not currently under threat, prices are becoming increasingly difficult for households and businesses to bear, in the context of the conflict in the Middle East. The ministers also looked at measures to lower electricity bills and stabilise the supply of diesel fuel. In this context, benchmark natural gas prices in Europe are now over EUR 100 per megawatt-hour for the first time since December 2022, driven by the war in the Middle East and low storage levels heading into the winter season.
FAIRS INDAGRA and INDAGRA FOOD, the largest trade fairs in Romania focusing on agriculture and the food industry, take place in Bucharest until November 1. This latest edition features 400 companies from 16 countries. Until Sunday, visitors can explore the latest farm technologies and machinery, as well as seeds, fruit trees, greenhouses, and solutions for the hospitality sector. The programme also includes conferences, cooking demonstrations, pastry workshops, and an international pizza competition.
SPORTS Romania’s Olympic and Sports Committee has announced the names of the 16 athletes that will represent Romania at the fourth Summer Youth Olympic Games, scheduled to take place in Dakar, Senegal, from October 31 to November 13. The Romanian athletes will compete in 10 disciplines: athletics, artistic gymnastics, wrestling, swimming, fencing, table tennis, archery, triathlon, boxing, and rowing. At the previous Summer Youth Olympics, held in Buenos Aires in 2018, Romania ranked 29th in the unofficial medal standings.
POLL A majority of Romanians (77%) believe Romania is heading in the wrong direction, while 18% see the direction as the right one, and 5% offered no opinion in a recent poll (CURS). The survey indicates that lowering prices and the cost of living should be the top priority for Luca Niculescu’s government (41% of respondents). Raising wages and pensions ranks second, at 39%, followed by cutting taxes (27%). A share of 23% of respondents mentioned reducing the budget deficit and public spending, while 22% pointed to public administration reform. Also, 21% of interviewees highlighted the need to improve healthcare and education, and 13% identified increasing investment and economic development as a priority. In terms of electoral support, AUR leads with 34% of the vote, followed by the PSD at 26% and the PNL at 16%. USR polls at 8%, while for other political parties voter support is at 5% or less. (AMP)
