Stories from Bucharest · Romania

Senate President Mircea Abrudian stated there are no reasons for a political and governmental crisis regarding an upcoming motion. The motion targets Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan's economic and administrative policies and is scheduled for a vote today.

Direct supplemental trains will be introduced between April 30 and May 4, 2026. These services will run alongside the regular schedule to connect Bucharest and Suceava to coastal stations. The route includes stops at Mangalia. The additional service is intended to accommodate travel during the specified period. A train is scheduled to depart from Bacău Nord at 20:15 to reach Constanța at 03:51. Another service will travel from Constanța to Mangalia, arriving at 05:25. Additionally, a train will depart from Buzău at 01:13, and a service from București Nord will depart in the early morning hours to accommodate travelers heading to the coast. Romania will introduce supplemental direct trains to Constanta and other coastal stations, including Mangalia, between April 30 and May 4, 2026. The move aims to increase transport capacity to the seaside.

Defense Minister Radu Miruța fought for the approval of an equipment package worth over 8 billion euros from the SAFE program in Parliament yesterday. Miruța announced that nearly 10 projects within the package consist of anti-drone solutions. The announcement comes amid discussions regarding Romania's accession to the Three Seas Initiative Infrastructure Fund. The minister explained there is a mandatory threshold for how these funds must be utilized. Romanian defense production involves several companies including Auto Mecanica Mediaș, IA Rebrașov, Turbo Mecanica, Uzina Mecanica București, and the Mangalia 2 Mai Naval Shipyard. A document signed by 253 senators and deputies calls for the dismissal of the executive branch. The initiators claim the government is preparing the harshest foreign asset seizure in two decades under the pretext of obligations in Penela.

The Romanian Ministry of National Defense has requested Parliament initiate procedures for awarding contracts under the SAFE program. These 15 projects are valued at 8.33 billion euros.

The PSD project to prohibit the sale of state assets to strategic national interest companies until the end of next year received a favorable report in the Senate Economic Commission. The document must still receive a report from the budget commission next week before a vote in the Senate plenary. The measure follows reports of state-owned companies recording losses for five consecutive years, which could trigger listing procedures. Senator Daniel Zamfir stated that the government program contains no references to the sale of active state assets such as Checkbank, Port of Constanta, Romstar, Romgaz, Transgaz, or Hidroelectrica. A final vote is expected this Monday, after which the matter will proceed to the Chamber of Deputies via an emergency procedure. Zamfir also commented that the war in the Middle East could trigger the largest energy price increases in history.

Siemens Mobility has delivered its first hydrogen-powered Mireo Plus H trains to Romania. CFR Călători is extending services on major Romanian routes starting April 15. New Alstom Coradia Stream electric trains will operate on the Bucharest Nord to Brasov line. Starting June 1, the service will also extend to the Bucharest Nord to Cluj-Napoca route. The new trains feature passenger information systems including audio and dynamic displays.

The Metro-Rex company in Bucharest may delay the application of new fares by 60 days. The Ministry of Transport has put the project into public consultation. During this period, the company must analyze the economic, social, and urban mobility impacts of the changes.

Romania's budget deficit decreased by more than half in the first three months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. Budgetary expenditures were reduced by almost 3 percent. Political instability is reportedly hindering further progress, according to the Ministry of Finance figures. Road traffic fatalities in Romania decreased by 9% in the first quarter of the year compared to the same period in 2026. The number of seriously injured individuals also saw a 1% reduction. Police issued significantly more traffic violation fines during this period. The total negative balance for the period is 223 deaths, 546 injuries, and nearly 670 road traffic incidents. Unadjusted or unregulated speed is the second leading cause of serious road events. Romania aims to reduce its budget deficit to below 3% in the coming years.

Italian fiscal policy must address the energy crisis impact on families and businesses, according to Radio Romania Intl. The bank noted that mortgage credits and loans to families and businesses are expected to decrease this quarter.

Tanțăș Barna met with the NSVSEA president and vice-president to propose solutions for protecting domestic Romanian auto producers. Barna noted that pig farming continues to affect farms and called for more efficient authority intervention. He also highlighted economic chain blockages where Romanian piglet production is no longer being taken up by fattening farms. These issues are reportedly amplified by dissatisfaction regarding subsidies. The Vice President of Romania intends to propose solutions to protect local producers. Interim Agriculture Minister Tancuș Barna stated that measures will be taken to support local producers in Romania. He noted that regulatory documents are currently in the approval circuit. Barna also highlighted issues in the livestock sector, specifically regarding the pork market.