Romania’s new government has launched consultations with its social partners

Luca Niculescu and Mugur Isarescu

Bogdan Matei,
27.10.2026, 14:00

The priorities of the new government in Bucharest, sworn in a week ago, include financial discipline and the wise, efficient spending of public funds, as well as reviving the economy and attracting the investments required for the country’s development and job creation.

This is what PM Luca Niculescu says in a social media post following a meeting on Monday with the governor of the National Bank, Mugur Isărescu. The talks focused on the dynamics of foreign financing, the state of the banking sector, and economic development prospects. In the Prime Minister’s view, an on-going dialogue between the government and the Central Bank is vital for fostering sustainable economic growth and ensuring macroeconomic stability.

Also on Monday, the head of government met with representatives of the SME sector (small and medium-sized enterprises), IMM ROMÂNIA, to discuss the current economic situation, fiscal measures, and the business community’s priorities for 2026–2028. The participants voiced concern regarding the absence of a dedicated section for SMEs in the 2026–2028 governing programme. They emphasized that SMEs are an essential pillar of the national economy and that their needs must be reflected in government policy through concrete measures, such as supporting investment, facilitating access to funding, and fostering entrepreneurship.

The National Trade Union Bloc (BNS) is calling on PM Niculescu to meet with trade union officials, after his talks with the business community. Union members argue that the interests of the nearly five million workers in Romania are being ignored, and they demand a balanced social dialogue that addresses issues such as wages, purchasing power, and working conditions. The BNS warns that economic reforms cannot be developed without consultations with employees, and it expects the government to prove through concrete actions that it attaches importance to social dialogue.

Meanwhile, confidence in the national economy improved slightly in September, though the outlook remains cautious, according to data from a monthly survey conducted by the Romanian Association of Financial Analysts. According to the survey, experts expect lower inflation over the next 12 months, although the national currency is predicted to further depreciate against the euro.

Furthermore, oil prices are expected to remain high for the next 6 months, amid geopolitical tensions. The national currency, the leu, is expected to weaken, with the euro possibly reaching nearly RON 5.39 within a year, according to the survey. The budget deficit is estimated at 5.5% of the GDP for this year, while government debt could rise to 62% of GDP over the next 12 months. As for the real estate market, nearly half of the survey participants expect housing prices to stay unchanged, while one-third of the respondents predict a decline. (AMP)