February 13, 2026 UPDATE
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 13.02.2026, 20:00
Romania’s economy is in technical recession, INS warns
Romania’s economy grew by 0.6% in 2025, but was in technical recession at the end of the year, after its GDP fell two quarters in a row, by 1.9% in the fourth quarter compared to the third, according to data published on Friday by the National Statistics Institute. In the third quarter, Romania’s economy shrank by 0.2% compared to the previous quarter.
In October last year, the International Monetary Fund estimated that Romania’s economy would grow by up to 1% in 2025, while in its January report the World Bank forecast a growth rate of 0.8% in 2025. In the last report published in November last year, the European Commission lowered its economic growth forecast for Romania to 0.7%.
Political reactions to INS data
Political reactions poured in after the National Statistics Institute (INS) announced Romania’s technical recession at the end of last year.
Liberal Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan denied Romania faces a crisis. He explained this temporary technical recession is the anticipated cost of shifting from a deficit- and consumption-driven model to one based on investments, productivity, exports and fiscal discipline.
PSD leader Sorin Grindeanu called for implementing the Social-Democrats’ economic re-launch program. He stressed the need for real dialogue in the ruling coalition, not unilateral decisions.
From the opposition, AUR blamed the current government for pushing Romania into this temporary technical recession. AUR Senate leader Petrișor Peiu warned we’re facing Europe’s highest inflation. Combined with recession, this has left the economy stagnant, and this would continue this year as well, the AUR official warned.
TUI enters Romanian market
One of the world’s largest travel agencies, Germany’s TUI, is officially entering Romania. TUI representatives met with Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan and outlined their entry and development strategy.
They’re targeting local packages like charter holidays, family stays, cultural tours and city breaks. Talks covered airport development to boost connectivity and tourist flows.
A government statement from Bucharest quoted the Prime Minister stressing the value of such international partnerships, which can sharpen Romania’s edge as a travel destination by tapping into its full potential.
Germany’s Chancellor calls for a reset in relations with the United States
Germany’s Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has called for what he described as a fresh start in transatlantic relations with the United States.
Speaking at the opening of the Munich Security Conference, he said the future of the partnership depended on a “pragmatic and robust reconstruction” undertaken by both sides of the Atlantic.
The German Chancellor argued that a militarily and politically stronger Europe could become a more autonomous pillar within the transatlantic alliance. He confirmed initial talks with France’s President, Emmanuel Macron, on strengthening Europe’s nuclear deterrence within NATO, while stressing that Germany would honor its legal commitments and would not seek its own nuclear weapons.
His speech, titled A Programme for Freedom, also addressed the recent deterioration in relations with Washington during President Donald Trump’s second term. He recalled tensions over Greenland, trade threats and criticism from the US Vice‑President, J.D. Vance, acknowledging that the partnership had lost some of its former predictability.
Even so, he warned that neither Europe nor the United States could face global challenges alone.
Representing Romania at the Munich conference (often referred to as the “Davos of Defence”) is a delegation led by the Defense Minister, Radu Miruţă, alongside Foreign Minister, Oana Ţoiu, and the head of the National Cyber Security Directorate, Dan Cîmpean. The Romanian delegation is expected to take part in NATO and EU cooperation panels, as well as bilateral meetings with allied and partner states.
Romania’s Health Minister seeks exemptions from public‑sector cuts
Romania’s Health Minister says he will not approve the government’s emergency decree on public‑administration reform unless the healthcare system is exempted from a planned 10% cut in personnel spending.
Alexandru Rogobete announced on Friday that he opposes across‑the‑board salary cuts, though he supports the introduction of performance‑based criteria for payments. He warned that a 10% cut in healthcare incomes would trigger an unprecedented crisis, particularly given the sector’s existing staff shortages. (VP)
