Stories from Bucharest · Romania

The Romanian Senate has adopted a bill that changes the regulations regarding the use of turbines. Under the new provisions, each educational unit will decide through its internal regulations whether students can use electronic devices in school. The initiative modifies the pre-university education law and grants high school boards the power to totally or partially prohibit phone use, including during extracurricular activities. The law allows for total or partial bans on device usage. Boards can implement a total ban on phone use, including during activities held outside of school hours. Such decisions require a minimum 75% vote from council members.

The National Institute of Statistics released data showing approximately 200,500 people in Romania were part of the potential additional workforce last year.

A document from last year projected a 7 billion euro expenditure related to the Gulf conflict. This spending could have been compatible with maintaining a 3% deficit through a national 'salvage clause' allowing derogation from the stability pact for military investments. George Ameloni stated that while defense priorities have not changed, other priorities now exist. Radio Romania reported on discussions regarding the flexibility of defense expenditures. The segment mentioned Giancarlo Giorgetti in relation to the topic. Romania holds the largest budget deficit in the European Union. Ilie Bolojan has implemented strict austerity measures to address the deficit, including public sector job cuts and a freeze on wage increases. The measures also include reduced pension increases and the partial privatization of state-owned enterprises.

Approximately 25,000 employees from the Ministry of Internal Affairs will be deployed during the upcoming May mini-vacation period. Road police will operate over 350 radars on principal routes, specifically targeting roads leading to coastal and mountain resorts. The chief commissioner issued safety advice for citizens traveling during the holiday period. Hundreds of Romanians have chosen Băile Herculane for their May Day mini-vacation. The occupancy rate in the resort's largest hotels exceeds 90%. Tourists are enjoying walks and the weather during the extended holiday.

Prime Minister Ilie Bolojana stated that a censure motion initiated by AUR and PSD will generate costs for citizens. The motion is signed by 254 parliamentarians from PSD, AUR, SOS România, Grupul Pacienți România, and unaffiliated members. Initiators claim the executive is planning the most severe alienation of strategic assets in two decades. They also cite a refusal of dialogue and the blocking of proposed rational solutions. The motion follows claims that inflation is affecting citizen incomes. A censure motion was read in the plenary session of the Romanian Senate by Senator Petrișor Peiu. The motion alleges that strategic state-owned company packages are being removed for the benefit of narrow circles. The motion claims the action is opaque and lacks public interest despite claims of transparency.

A new legislative project in Romania aims to prohibit the accumulation of a state pension and a state salary. Additionally, non-contributory special pensions will be reduced by 85% for individuals who choose to continue working in the public sector. Petruța Obreja reported on the government session. Individuals working in the private sector may continue to work in any category. Interim Minister of Finance Dragos Păslaru addressed the measure. Under the proposed rules, recipients must choose between maintaining their employment or keeping their full pension, as receiving both would result in losing most of the pension amount. The measure applies specifically to service and military pensions, excluding contributory pensions. Affected groups include former police officers, military personnel, gendarmes, and former employees of Parliament or the Court of Accounts.

European Parliament members have accused Russia directly of airspace violations following reports of a drone being detected in Romania. The incident prompted F-16 and Eurofighter jets to scramble.

The Directorate of Public Health has withdrawn the sanitary operating authorization for the William Shakespeare Theoretical High School. Authorities applied a fine of 40,000 lei following the discovery. Officials stated these deficiencies pose a major health risk to students. The institution is considered an elite high school. Authorities are currently working to remedy the situation so that activities can resume safely. The Romanian government will allocate 3 million lei to support infrastructure, education, and health projects. According to a Facebook post by Nazar, 1 million lei will be provided as interest-free loans from the central bank to accelerate payments within the PNRR. The remaining 2 million lei are designated for completing old European projects at risk of stalling.

Low-cost airlines including Ryanair, Transavia, and Volotea are already reducing the number of flights to manage rising kerosene prices. Experts warn that these increased costs could lead to further route cancellations ahead of the summer season. The price hike is causing concerns regarding potential kerosene supply deficits for operators. An airline is rationalizing services and cutting capacity in response to pricing pressures. The carrier is attempting to maintain capacity by shifting passengers onto other flights. Regional infrastructure funding has been announced to address these issues. Officials are currently working on options to provide relief during the fuel crisis and are evaluating long-term support for vulnerable regional routes.

The Constitutional Court of Romania declared a law unconstitutional in an 8-to-1 vote. Additionally, the PSDR is preparing a draft law that would allow expropriations in favor of private companies, which would be a first for Romania. A bill passed the first reading in the Romanian Parliament that would allow the state to expropriate land in favor of private mining companies. The law marks a first in Romanian history, as the Constitution currently requires expropriations to be for public utility only. Non-governmental organizations have notified the European Commission and are requesting the law be rejected. The PNL party announced it will refer the matter to the Constitutional Court. The Romanian Constitutional Court ruled that parliamentary decisions regarding the appointment of board members for public television and radio are unconstitutional.