The Week in Review, September 20-27
The headline-grabbing events of the week.
Corina Cristea, 27.09.2025, 14:00
Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan holds talks in Brussels
Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan went to Brussels on Monday for talks with the European Commission on Romania’s economy and defense. Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commissioner for Economy and Competitiveness, said after the meeting that he appreciates the efforts made by Bucharest in recent months and that it is important that they continue, in order to ensure the country’s macroeconomic stability. The statement directly refers to Romania’s thorniest problem, the budget deficit, the largest in the EU, but also to the measures taken by the government in Bucharest. The Romanian authorities’ goal is to regain the trust of their partners in Brussels and, at the same time, through the results of the reforms, to stop the procedure that would lead to the blocking of certain European funds for Romania. A second meeting of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan was with Andrius Kubilius, the European Commissioner for Defense, Romania being interested in attracting almost 17 billion euros dedicated not only to military projects, but also to dual-use investments – military and civilian, such as highways. The last meeting was with Roxana Mînzatu, the Romanian Commissioner for Social Affairs, the discussion being focused on the future multiannual budget of the Union, a budget from which Romania will attract non-reimbursable funds.
The commercial marup for some basic foods, capped for another 6 months
The leaders of the ruling coalition in Romania met on Thursday to discuss the last aspects related to the budget revision project, before the document is made public. The budget revision will be based on a deficit of 8.4%, agreed with the European Commission. The Prime Minister gave assurances that current payments will be covered, the necessary amounts for social assistance will be increased and a slight additional amount will go to investments. The coalition government formed by PSD, PNL, USR, UDMR also adopted this week the extension by six months, until March 31 next year, of the capping of the commercial markup on some basic foods. The decision was eventually agreed on by the government partners, after the subject generated tension in the coalition, which is why, also during the week, the country’s President Nicușor Dan, invited the leaders of the four parties in power “to a dialogue needed to consolidate the political and economic stability of the country”. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said that the measure to extend the capping of the commercial mark-up on basic foods was based on serious analyses and pertinent discussions with store chains and producers. The measure comes to the support of low-income people.
CSAT Decisions on Romanian airspace security
The Supreme Council of National Defense met in Bucharest on Thursday, to discuss the security of Romanian airspace, with two main themes: establishing the objectives that require protection measures against threats in the case of unmanned aircraft systems, and establishing the persons who have the right to order or approve the execution of measures against aircraft and aerial vehicles that use the national airspace without authorization. The decision to shoot down military aircraft that violate Romanian airspace belongs to the commander of the patrol mission, in accordance with NATO rules, Defense Minister Ionuţ Moşteanu said at the end of the meeting. He indicated that this is a “last resort measure, if all other steps are ignored and the aircraft does not identify itself and does not leave Romanian airspace.” The CSAT was convened by President Nicuşor Dan after several NATO states, including Romania, recently reported the entry of Russian drones into their airspace. Similar incidents have also occurred in Estonia and Poland.
Romania at the 80th UN General Assembly
Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Ţoiu, who heads the Romanian delegation to the UN General Assembly, condemned, at the informal meeting of her counterparts from EU member states, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Moscow’s continued escalation of the situation and its provocative actions against EU countries, including the violation of Romania’s airspace. She said that Russia is acting contrary to its international commitments, generating risks and undermining the foundations of the UN. At the same time, Oana Ţoiu expressed her support for the EU and NATO’s efforts to strengthen the security of its members in response to Moscow’s hostile actions and emphasised the responsibility of the international community to support Ukraine and to do all it can to achieve a ceasefire and a just and lasting peace. Regarding the situation in the Middle East, Oana Ţoiu spoke about the urgency of a new agreement for a ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages.
Motion against the Minister of Environment, Waters and Forests
Submitted by AUR and entitled “Weakening Romania’s energy security through environmental policies that obstruct the commissioning of hydropower plants started before 1989”, the simple motion against the Minister of Environment, Waters and Forests, Diana Buzoianu, did not pass on Wednesday. During the debates, the Minister of Environment said that AUR would like to return to the era when hydropower plants were built ‘with bulldozers’, without respecting the laws and people, and mentioned that there are lawsuits opened in court against the environmental agreements issued for the hydropower plants listed in the text of the simple motion. (EE)
