Romania

Politics

Romanian prosecutors initiated criminal proceedings against far-right, pro-Russian presidential candidate Calin Georgescu, who won the first round of the annulled 2024 presidential election amid allegations of Russian interference, Politico reported on Feb. 26. 

Romania: Far-Right Presidential Candidate Calin Georgescu Facing Criminal Charges

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis announced his resignation, citing the need to avert a political crisis as opposition parties in Parliament prepared to vote on his potential impeachment, Reuters reported on Feb. 10.

Romania: President Resigns Months Ahead of Elections Rerun Amid Political Pressures

Economics

Romania's new coalition government approved an emergency decree introducing a series of tax hikes and spending caps to save up to 130 billion lei ($27 billion), Euractiv reported on Dec. 31.

Romania: New Government Unveils Fiscal Consolidation Measures To Tackle Rising Deficit

Romania's outgoing Prime Minister and center-left Social Democratic Party (PSD) leader Marcel Ciolacu pulled out of negotiations with three other centrist, pro-EU parties -- the former co-ruling center-right National Liberal Party (PNL), the liberal center-right Save Romania Union (USR) and the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) -- to form a coalition government following the Dec. 1 parliamentary elections, Romania-Insider reported Dec. 19.

Romania: Social Democrats Exit Coalition Talks, Clearing Path for Center-Right Minority Coalition

Europe

Environment, Science & Technology

Science & Technology

The European Commission is investigating TikTok for a suspected breach of the EU Digital Services Act over alleged failures to thwart foreign election interference in Romania's Nov. 24 presidential election, the commission announced on Dec. 16.

EU: European Commission Investigates TikTok Over Election Influence in Romania

The center-left Social Democratic Party and the center-right National Liberal Party -- forming Romania's outgoing ruling coalition -- agreed to launch formal government formation negotiations with the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania and the liberal, center-right Save Romania Union, Romania Insider reported on Dec. 10.

Romania: Centrist, Pro-EU Parties Launch Government Formation Talks

The center-left Social Democratic Party emerged as the largest party in Romania's parliamentary elections, obtaining 23% of the vote ahead of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians with 18% and the co-ruling center-right National Liberal Party with 14%, Politico reported on Dec. 2.

Romania: Mainstream Parties To Retain Control of Parliament Despite Far-Right Gains

Bulgaria

Austria

Netherlands

Austria is set to lift its veto on Romania's and Bulgaria's full accession to Europe's free-passport Schengen area during a meeting of interior ministers from Austria, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary in Budapest on Nov. 22, the Financial Times reported on Nov. 19, citing sources close to negotiations.

Romania, Bulgaria: Austria To Lift Veto on Romania's and Bulgaria's Full Schengen Membership

Snapshots

Supporters of the far-right Romanian politician Calin Georgescu take part in an anti-government protest in Bucharest on March 1, 2025. 

Military & Security

Georgescu's disqualification will worsen Romania's increasingly polarized political climate, heightening the risk of violent protests and strengthening alternative far-right candidates in the May election rerun.

Romania's Political Crisis Worsens After Far-Right Candidate Barred From Presidential Rerun

People wave Romanian flags and hold portraits of far-right presidential candidate Calin Georgescu during a protest in front of Romania's Constitutional Court in Bucharest on Jan. 10, 2025. 

The crisis is raising the risk of a far-right president taking office that would disrupt foreign policy and, less likely, a far-right prime minister that would strain EU relations and jeopardize crucial funds from the bloc.

Romania's Deepening Political Crisis Risks Empowering the Far-Right

Demonstrators hold EU and Romanian national flags during a pro-European rally in support of democracy at University Square in Bucharest, Romania, on Dec. 5, 2024, a few days before key elections. 

The ruling may bolster support for anti-establishment parties, undermine public trust in Romania's institutions and establish a dangerous precedent in other parts of Europe.

Romania's Election Annulment Raises the Stakes Domestically and Abroad

Romanian presidential candidate Calin Georgescu is seen during a television interview on Nov. 13, 2024. 

Global Elections

Georgescu's shock victory in the first round of the presidential election reflects a surge in anti-establishment sentiment that could yield similar surprises in Romania's Dec. 1 parliamentary elections.

A Far-Right Dark Horse Emerges in Romania's Presidential Race

Assessments

Opinion polls ahead of Romania's parliamentary elections scheduled for Dec. 1 indicate four main possible coalition government scenarios.

2024 Elections: Romania

The EU flag is projected on the facade of Romania's parliament building in Bucharest on the eve of Europe Day on May 8, 2024. 

Romania's financial risks are manageable in the short-to-medium term, but failure to reduce its fiscal and current account deficits could expose the country to external shocks.

The Financial Risks of Romania's Twin Deficits

United Kingdom

Belgium

Portugal

A photo taken on Jan. 20, 2024, shows cars driving by campaign billboard posters in Sao Pedro do Estoril, Portugal, ahead of the country's March 10 parliamentary elections. 

Social Issues

Of the various European countries holding elections this year, Portugal, Belgium, Austria, Romania and the U.K.'s votes have the potential to yield the most drastic leadership and policy changes.

Previewing Europe's 2024 National Elections

Germany

France

Spain

A woman waves a French flag in support of protesting farmers as a tractor drives by in Agen, southwerstern France, on Jan. 25, 2024.

Farmers across Europe are protesting environmental regulations, foreign competition and falling government support, which will likely impede Brussels' ability to enact climate reforms and negotiate new trade deals.

Growing Farmer Protests Add to the EU's Political Woes

United States

China

Luxembourg

Lithuania

Malta

Finland

Latvia

Czech Republic

Greece

Estonia

Sweden

Poland

Croatia

Cyprus

Slovakia

Slovenia

Italy

Ireland

Hungary

Members of the European Parliament take part in voting on the Artificial Intelligence Act during a plenary session at the European Parliament.

Cyber

The EU's recently negotiated Artificial Intelligence Act will bolster the European Union's dominance as a regulatory heavyweight in emerging technologies, yet anticipated enforcement challenges and stringent stipulations with the Act risk impeding AI innovation within the bloc.

EU Lawmakers Clinch Agreement on Artificial Intelligence Act 

Columns

On Geopolitics

Demonstrators hold Spanish flags during a protest called by the country’s far-right Vox party in Madrid, Spain, on Nov. 12, 2023. 

Far-right parties are expected to perform strongly in sub-national, national and EU elections next year, portending significant shifts in governance and policies.

In Europe, Far-Right Parties Are Again on the Rise

An EU sign is seen at a Romanian border crossing.

Bulgaria and Romania have set out to join the EU's passport-free zone by the year's end, but Austrian and Dutch skepticism will likely keep delaying their membership and the associated economic benefits.

The Challenges Facing Bulgaria and Romania's Schengen Bids

Ukraine

Belarus

Russia

A Polish soldier stands by anti-tank obstacles by the metal wall constructed at the Belarussian border in Bialowieza, Poland, on July 08, 2023. 

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

In Romania's case, Russian aggression is more likely to occur by accident. But in Poland, such aggression would have higher chance of escalation because it'd likely be by design.

Russia's Activities Near Romania and Poland Risk Sparking Another NATO Crisis

Romania is located in southeastern Europe, north of the Balkan Peninsula and on the western shore of the Black Sea. The Carpathian Mountains divide Romania into three parts. To the south is the Wallachian Plain, the core of contemporary Romania where its capital, Bucharest, and its old oil center, Ploiesti, are located. East of the Carpathians is the Moldavian Plain, where the city of Iasi sits, which is an important economic and cultural center. To the northwest of the Carpathians is Transylvania, a more rugged, hilly region.      None of the three parts are easy to defend. Transylvania was occupied by the Hungarians in several stages starting in the 11th century, and then fell under Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian rule. Wallachia and Moldavia were constant battlegrounds for the Ottomans, the Habsburgs and later the Russians.    After becoming a nation-state in the late 19th century, Romania had a precarious existence, balanced between foreign powers. Romania spent most of the 20th century trying to find its balance with monarchy, authoritarianism and democracy. During the Cold War, Romania was ruled by a Communist dictatorship loosely aligned with the Soviet Union. Like most of the former Soviet satellites, after the fall of communism, Romania aligned itself with NATO and the European Union.    The crisis in Ukraine has reignited Romania’s traditional fears of foreign aggression and its strategy to become more independent on energy. Bucharest is worried about events in neighboring Moldova, where the breakaway region of Transdniestria is under Russian influence, and in the Black Sea. As a country surrounded by large powers, Romania’s main geographic challenge is to remain united and limit the influence of foreigners.

SITUATION REPORTS

Romania: Far-Right Presidential Candidate Calin Georgescu Facing Criminal Charges

Romania: President Resigns Months Ahead of Elections Rerun Amid Political Pressures

Romania: New Government Unveils Fiscal Consolidation Measures To Tackle Rising Deficit

Romania: Social Democrats Exit Coalition Talks, Clearing Path for Center-Right Minority Coalition

EU: European Commission Investigates TikTok Over Election Influence in Romania

Romania: Centrist, Pro-EU Parties Launch Government Formation Talks

Romania: Mainstream Parties To Retain Control of Parliament Despite Far-Right Gains

Romania, Bulgaria: Austria To Lift Veto on Romania's and Bulgaria's Full Schengen Membership

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