March 21, 2026 UPDATE

A roundup of local and international news.

Elena Enache, 21.03.2026, 20:00

SOLDIERS – All 117 Romanian military who participated in the NATO mission in Iraq returned to the country on Saturday. The repatriation was carried out safely, with the support of NATO structures and international partners. The military were temporarily relocated to bases in Turkey and Germany, before being transported to Romania by military aircraft. During the mission, the Romanian soldiers ensured the protection of allied personnel and facilities, reads a statement of the Romanian Defense Ministry.

POLL – If elections were held for the bicameral Parliament in Bucharest next Sunday, the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR, nationalist, in opposition) would obtain 35% of the votes. Next are the four pro-Western members of the government coalition, – the Social Democratic Party (PSD) – 22%, the National Liberal Party (PNL) – 14%, the Save Romania Union (USR) – 11%, and the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) – 5% – shows an Avangarde poll, published on Saturday. All other parties would not reach the electoral threshold of 5%. When asked “How satisfied are you with the way the government led by Ilie Bolojan is managing Romania?”, 43% of respondents said they were completely dissatisfied, 37% rather dissatisfied, 17% rather satisfied and 1% very satisfied, while 2% did not know or did not answer. Also, 49% of respondents said they were not at all satisfied with the prime minister’s activity, 24% said they were rather dissatisfied, 20% rather satisfied and 1% very satisfied, while 5% did not know or did not answer. When asked whether the direction Romania is heading is good or wrong, 79% of respondents answered that the direction is wrong, 18% believe that the direction is good, and 3% preferred not to say. The survey was conducted between March 10-17, 2026 on a sample of 1000 and has an error margin of +/- 3%.

STATEMENT – Romania joins the statement of Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan on ensuring, in the Strait of Hormuz, of freedom of navigation, affected by the new war in the Middle East. President Nicuşor Dan said, in a Facebook post, that Bucharest’s joining this statement comes in the context of the serious implications that the closure of the Strait has on global energy markets, as well as on global economy. The effects are also felt in Romania, especially in terms of fuel prices. “In this respect, we are ready to join the efforts of the international community that will lead to maintaining prices at a bearable level for the population,” the President wrote. However, Romania maintains its clear decision not to get involved in the conflict in the Middle East. “We are working with international partners for de-escalation” Nicuşor Dan also wrote. The statement’s signatories expressed their readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait and to take measures to stabilize energy markets. They condemned in the strongest terms recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, attacks on civilian infrastructure including oil and gas installations, and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces.

MAGISTRATES – The Higher Council of Magistracy (CSM) in Romania criticizes the decision to redirect funds initially allocated to the state budget for the payment of outstanding salary rights obtained in court by judicial employees. The decision to redirect these funds is the solution found by theruling coalition to supplement with about 200 million euros the funds for social measures, requested by the Social Democrats, in exchange for the latter voting the budget law. In this context, the CSM announced that it will initiate and support any action by the other institutions within the judicial authority, to recover the rights obtained by magistrates. The High Court of Cassation and Justice has already sent a message that it is also considering notifying the Constitutional Court in relation to the state budget law, because respecting court decisions is not optional and cannot be postponed or reinterpreted.

INCIDENT – A 34-year-old Iranian man and a 31-year-old Romanian woman have been arrested and charged, after they tried to enter the perimeter of the HM Naval Base Clyde in Scotland, known as Faslane, British media reported on Saturday. Faslane hosts the core of the United Kingdom’s submarine fleet and the Trident nuclear deterrent system. Investigation is under way, the Scottish police announced.

CUSTOMS – The undeclared amount of 44,000 euros was found on an Ukrainian citizen at Vicovu de Sus Border Crossing Point in northern Romania, the Romanian Customs Authority reported on Saturday. According to the source, the man, aged 55, was traveling on foot on the Ukraine – Romania route. In keeping with the legal provisions in force, the entire amount was retained in order to continue the investigations, and the person in question received a 600-euro fine. The Customs Authority reminds that persons who import or export amounts greater than 10,000 euros (or the equivalent in another currency) are required to declare them at the border check points, failure to comply resulting in misdemeanor sanctions and confiscation of the undeclared amounts.

FOOTBALL – The coach of the Romanian national football squad, Mircea Lucescu, announced the lineup for the Turkey – Romania match, in the semi-finals of the play-off for the qualification to the 2026 World Cup. Of the called-up footballers, 12 are registered with clubs abroad and 14 with teams in the so-called Romanian Super League. The national team will meet Turkey, on Thursday, away, in Istanbul. Depending on the results of the play-off semi-finals, on March 31, the Romanians will play in Slovakia or Kosovo. Romania last participated in a world final tournament in 1998, in France. (EE)