Stories from Romania

Teachers protested in front of the Ministry of Education in Bucharest regarding salaries in the education system, workload increases, and a lack of dialogue with authorities. Unionists stated that the demands are old and not directly related to the current context.

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.

The Public Health Directorate (DSP) has revoked the operating license for the William Shakespeare Theoretical High School in Timisoara. The school, which serves 1,300 students, was fined 40,000 lei following reports of mold and humidity in classrooms.

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.

Dozens of localities in Bacau County face potential loss of sanitation services. Residents may experience uncollected garbage, full gutters, and increased risks of infection and rodents.