About: Romania
In Romania, Bulgaria, thousands defy Covid, crowding for Epiphany
Thousands of Romanian Orthodox Christians crowded into the harbour of the Black Sea port of Constanta on Wednesday (6 January), breaking social distancing rules to celebrate an Epiphany service. Similar gatherings took place in Burgas, Varna or Sofia, in Bulgaria.
Bucharest to host EU’s new cybersecurity centre
Bucharest was selected by EU governments on Wednesday (9 December) to host the EU's new cyber-centre, beating six other candidate cities. It will be the first EU agency based in Romania.
Romanian PM claims election win but one exit poll differs
Romanian Prime Minister Ludovic Orban claimed victory in the national election on Sunday (6 December) seen as pivotal for the country's future in the European mainstream, although one exit poll showed his ruling Liberals (PNL) losing by a narrow margin.
Fiscal reform, corruption in focus in Romania parliamentary election
Romanians head to the polls on Sunday (6 December) in a national ballot key to restoring the country's reputation among investors, with the incumbent, reform-oriented centrists of Prime Minister Ludovic Orban holding a narrow lead over opposition Social Democrats.
The EU budget: A question of European solidarity
Europe stands at a crossroads in the fight against COVID-19. As on many occasions in the past, the leaders of the EU must choose a direction of travel. Will we move together to confront the virus while upholding the basic ideals which hold us together? Or will we choose to retreat, to retrench, into national siloes? Ludovic Orban explains what is at stake.
Inconclusive video summit hashes over EU budget hurdle, vaccines
EU leaders said Thursday (19 November) they would intensify efforts to convince the Prime Ministers of Poland and Hungary to drop their veto of the EU coronavirus economic recovery plan, which has plunged the bloc into a new crisis.
Pro-EU challenger Maia Sandu wins Moldova presidency
Pro-European challenger Maia Sandu has won the second round of Moldova's presidential election and is well ahead of the pro-Russian incumbent with almost all ballots counted, according to the central election commission.
Romania’s forests – source of biodiversity, resource for ‘wood mafia’
Romania has the largest area of virgin forests in the whole of the EU. Home to a large number of animal and plant species, they are endangered by illegal logging, as seen in a recent documentary starring ultramarathon runner Andrei Roșu.
The changing fortunes of Romania’s ‘wind power academy’
A professional reconversion scheme for coal workers that was once billed as Romania’s most ambitious green jobs programme to date has fallen into disarray one year after its launch following the recent change of government.
Romania’s Social Democrats lose ground in municipal vote
Romania's ruling centrist Liberals emerged as the leading party in a municipal ballot on Sunday (27 September), including in the capital, exit polls showed, bolstering their chances of forming the next government after a 6 December parliamentary election.
Sofia conference highlights internet’s role in fighting depopulation
A good internet connection is more important than motorways and can make depopulated places in Europe more attractive to young people, said participants at a webinar organised by EURACTIV Bulgaria.
Romania to hold elections on 6 December, says PM
Romania is to hold parliamentary elections on 6 December, Prime Minister Ludovic Orban announced Thursday (3 September), with the vote set to determine whether the country turns the page on recent political instability.
MEP Romeo Franz names ‘racist’ colleagues
In an exclusive interview with EURACTIV Bulgaria, German MEP Romeo Franz discusses the problems of Europe’s largest minority – the Roma, and names some colleagues he considers “racist”.
Protecting the seasonal workers in Europe
If we have fresh strawberries on our table these days, if we can enjoy delicious asparagus from our fields, it is thanks to the people who work outside. Quite often, they are seasonal workers, and we have to protect them, write Dan Nica and Jens Geier.
Germany relaxes restrictions on seasonal workers
The German government on Wednesday (11 June) eased entry restrictions for seasonal farm workers that were first introduced to help stem the spread of the coronavirus.
Illegal logging in Romania overwhelms authorities
Thousands of hectares have once again been cleared in one of Europe's last large primeval forests in Romania in recent months. The country's authorities are overwhelmed. EURACTIV's partner Ouest-France reports.
Romania’s Orban breaches own coronavirus rules, pays fine
Romanian Prime Minister Ludovic Orban paid a 3,000 lei fine (€617) on Saturday (30 May) for breaking his own coronavirus restrictions by not wearing a face mask and smoking indoors, state news agency Agerpres said.
Central Europe and Baltic states GDP will fall by 4.3% in 2020, ERBD report says
The economies of Central Europe and the Baltic states are seen contracting by 4.3% on average in 2020, according to a report by the European Bank for Reconstructing and Development (ERBD) published on Wednesday (13 May). The report also showed that EU members in south-eastern Europe are expected to face a 4.8% GDP decline in 2020.
France kicks out Bulgarian seasonal workers despite Commission ‘guidelines’
Two groups of seasonal workers arriving in France by plane from Bulgaria have been sent back home by the French airport authorities, despite the European Commission's calls to ensure the freedom of movement of such “critical” personnel.
Chief European Prosecutor: We’re ready to start at full speed, safeguard our independence
For the newly established European Public Prosecutor's Office to be a real game-changer, it must have sufficient financial resources and enough full-time European delegated prosecutors to conduct independent investigations in the member states, chief prosecutor Laura Codruța Kövesi said in her first exclusive interview in the new position.
Britain turns to Eastern Europe, and charter flights, to save its crops
To save fields of asparagus and strawberries threatened with rotting, Britain is mobilising a workforce of students, the unemployed -- and workers from Europe.
Activists concerned over increase in waste smuggling in Romania
Peacocks may not be the first thing visitors expect to see at a cement plant. But a factory in the Romanian town of Fieni has built a spacious aviary for the birds in a bid to convince the public of its environmental credentials.
Spain wants jobless, immigrants to cover farm shortfall
Spain moved on Tuesday (7 April) to tackle a shortfall of farm workers due to the coronavirus crisis by authorising the temporary hiring of tens of thousands of immigrants or jobless people.