February 25, 2025

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsroom, 25.02.2025, 13:55

A roundup of local and international news.

RESOLUTION – The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution calling for an end to the conflict in Ukraine. The document, which does not include any criticism of Moscow’s aggression, was also voted by the United States, after a significant softening of its tone. Europeans have said that there can be no peace that rewards aggression. From Europe’s point of view, this only highlights major rifts in the transatlantic alliance, the international media say.

DACIA – Sales of the Romanian-brand Dacia cars in Europe registered an annual decline of 5.2% in January, and the car manufacturer’s market share fell to 4.9% from 5.1%,  according to data published today by the Association of European Automobile Manufacturers. The statistical data is valid for the European Union, the United Kingdom and the countries of the European Free Trade Association, namely Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Large car manufacturers reported mixed sale developments in January: increases of 5.4% at Renault and 16.6% at Volkswagen, but a decrease of 12.2% at Ford. The European Commission is hosting talks between car manufacturers, suppliers and unions in the field, with a view to implementing plans at EU level to protect the automotive sector, vital for the prosperity of the community bloc. In recent weeks, European carmakers have announced plant closures and layoffs, amid competition from rivals in China and the prospect of additional tariffs from the US. The European car sector employs 13.2 million people and accounts for 10.3% of all jobs in the EU industry.

INFLATION – After ten months in which Romania  had the highest average annual inflation in the EU, in January 2025 Hungary climbed to first position, with 5.7%, followed by Romania, with 5.3%, and Croatia, with 5 percent, according to data published by the European Statistical Office. At the opposite end, last month, the lowest average annual inflation rates in the EU were recorded in Denmark (1.4%), Ireland, Italy and Finland (1.7%). Compared to December 2024, Eurostat shows that the average annual inflation rate decreased in eight EU member states, including Romania, from 5.5% to 5.3%, remained stable in four and increased in 15 countries. The National Bank has revised upwards the inflation forecast in Romania for the end of 2025, from 3.5% to 3.8%. The Governor of the National Bank of Romania, Mugur Isărescu, anticipates that this indicator will reach 3.1% at the end of 2026.

CONSULTATIONS – Romania’s acting President, Ilie Bolojan, will hold consultations with all parliamentary parties on Wednesday to prepare Romania’s position at the extraordinary European Council meeting on March 6. The main topics of discussion are related to support for Ukraine and the preparation of the European Union’s common defense strategy, after the American administration announced that it wants to reduce its military presence in Europe. Each of the seven parties represented in Parliament and the parliamentary group of national minorities has been allocated an hour for discussions.

MOTION – A censure motion against the PSD-PNL-UDMR coalition government in Bucharest has been submitted to Parliament today. The standing bureaus will set the calendar for the debate and the vote. The document is signed by 154 parliamentarians from the opposition parties SOS Romania, AUR and POT. However USR, also in opposition, has announced that it does not support the motion, as there are not enough votes to adopt it and that the process should have been initiated after the presidential elections in May.

POPE – The health of Pope Francis, 88, hospitalized with double pneumonia, is showing a slight improvement, but remains critical, the Vatican said in a statement. Given the complexity of his condition, doctors are cautiously avoiding commenting on it, the same source said, adding that the Pontiff thanked all the people who prayed for him in recent days. Hospitalized since February 14, the Pope’s condition suddenly deteriorated on Saturday. In a message on Sunday, Patriarch Daniel of the  Romanian Orthodox Church wished Pope Francis a speedy recovery.