Romania
Russian presidential adviser warns Moldova may “cease to exist”
Influential Russian presidential advisor Nikolai Patrushev uses unprecedentedly aggressive rhetoric against Moldova, saying it may "become part of another state or ... cease to exist".
Inflation returns to above 5% y/y at end-2024 in Romania
Romania’s consumer prices (chart) increased by 0.3% m/m in December resulting in a 5.14% y/y headline inflation, marginally faster compared to the 5.11% y/y in November and only 1.5 percentage points lower compared to 6.6% y/y one year earlier.
Net FDI in Romania dips in 2024
Romania's bleak economic outlook and the gradual phasing off of fiscal incentives are set to negatively affect FDI in the coming year.
Romania’s political deadlock deepens as nationalists rise
Tens of thousands of people joined protest against cancellation of presidential election, which thwarted far-right candidate Calin Georgescu’s presidential ambitions.
EBRD delivers 26% expansion in investments in 2024, commits record €16.6bn across economies
Lender notes strong momentum in green and gender financing, in parallel with steadfast support for Ukraine and its real economy.
COMMENT: The EU’s Green Deal is a “policy disaster”
Energy analyst Dr Tom O'Donnell has issued a stark critique of the European Union's Green Deal, describing it as a "policy disaster" that requires radical reform to prevent further industrial decline and to bolster energy security.
Romania's ruling coalition survives elections
Lawmakers back PSD-PNL grand coalition, but 2025 presidential election is likely to alter the balance of power and prompt a reshuffle.
Romanian liberals orchestrated Georgescu campaign funding, investigation reveals
Russia was accused of interfering in Romania’s presidential election November 24 presidential election that saw far-right and pro-Russian outsider Calin Georgescu storm to a shock first round victory. An investigation found otherwise.
Formation of ruling coalition in Romania faces deadlock as Social Democrats suspend talks
PSD leader and PM Marcel Ciolacu accused potential partners of being "inconsistent and disrespectful" as he pulled out of coalition talks.
Russia reaps harvest of chaos in nearby democracies
Allegations of interference surround recent elections in Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova and Romania.
The EU Council calls for a European geothermal action plan
The energy ministers in the EU Energy Council approved the outline of a European geothermal energy action plan on December 17.
FDI in Emerging Europe hit by geopolitical uncertainty and German slowdown
wiiw report warns lower investment trend could continue as Central and Eastern Europe's role as a production hub for Western companies is waning.
Fitch cuts outlook on Romania’s rating to negative over political uncertainty
Fitch revised the outlook on Romania's long-term forex Issuer Default Rating to negative after the presidential elections were scrapped over alleged Russian interference.
Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan announces presidential candidacy
Dan seen as possible unifying candidate for mainstream parties to take on far right ahead of presidential election re-run.
Hungary's state utility giant buys E.ON’s energy supply operations in Romania
MVM will acquire a 68% stake in E.ON Energie Romania, which has close to 3.4mn customers, and a 98% stake in regional service provider E.ON Asist Complet.
IMF: The 2004 EU enlargement was a success story built on deep reform efforts
New accession candidates will need to undertake equally ambitious reforms to make the next expansion a comparable success.
Advanced economies have lower out-of-pocket healthcare spending
According to the Global Health Expenditure Database by the World Health Organization (WHO), the global average out-of-pocket expenses related to health across 192 countries made up 30% of all health expenditures per capita in 2022.
Moldova announces it has enough natural gas reserves for the entire winter
Moldovagaz says it has already purchased 747.9mn cubic metres of natural gas ahead of the expected cut-off of Russian gas supplies via Ukraine.
Romania’s industrial output shows partial recovery in October
Output rises 1.3% y/y but figure indicates continued stagnation in industrial activity.
Geothermal energy poised for major global expansion, says IEA chief Fatih Birol
"Geothermal energy could see transformative global growth thanks to advancements in technology and expertise from the oil and gas sector," the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in a report groundbreaking report released on December 13.