ROMANIA Trends and Developments Contributed by: Cosmin Vasile and Alina Tugearu, Zamfirescu Racoți Vasile & Partners Attorneys At Law
was perceived by many magistrates as undermining judicial independence and breaching constitution- al principles. In response, judges and prosecutors across the country suspended court activity, except for urgent cases, severely impacting the functioning of the justice system. On 20 October 2025, the Constitutional Court of Romania declared the ordinance unconstitutional. The Court’s decision was based primarily on proce- dural grounds, including the government’s failure to obtain an advisory opinion from the Superior Council of Magistracy. Despite the ruling, the government has signalled its intention to reintroduce the reform through Parliament, this time following the correct legislative procedures. The situation remains fluid, and the outcome of this legal and political standoff should be closely watched. Romania’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan The NRRP sets an ambitious programme of reforms and investments, structured across 17 thematic com- ponents. Approved in November 2021, Romania’s recovery and resilience plan was revised in December 2023 to introduce a REPowerEU chapter, consisting of two new reforms and seven investments to deliver on the REPowerEU objectives to make Europe independent from Russian fossil fuels well before 2030. These new measures focus on accelerating green energy produc- tion, promoting the energy efficiency of buildings, and re- and up-skilling the workforce in the field of green energy production. All measures must be implemented within a tight time- frame, with a completion date set for August 2026 for all milestones and targets within the national plans. This has put significant pressure on national authori- ties to tender and implement all necessary invest- ments funded by this facility to the maximum extent possible, which is currently an important source of business in Romania. The government recently announced its decision to prioritise certain publicly financed projects, while
suspending others or postponing the ones for which contracts have not yet been concluded. Recent economic developments Romania’s economy in 2025 continues to advance steadily, supported by strong public investment, improved infrastructure and enhanced regional inte- gration. Following a moderate performance in 2024, economic growth is projected to accelerate, with real GDP expanding by up to 1.4%, according to the Euro- pean Commission’s Spring 2025 Economic Forecast. This momentum is underpinned by robust construc- tion activity, increased agricultural output, and dynam- ic developments in the transport and logistics sectors. The country’s recent accession to the Schengen Area has significantly boosted cross-border trade and mobility, enhancing Romania’s role as a regional logistics hub. Infrastructure projects financed through EU funds are progressing at pace, contributing to job creation and long-term competitiveness. The con- struction sector, in particular, remains a key growth engine, with both public and private investments driv- ing expansion in residential, commercial and transport infrastructure. Romania’s commitment to fiscal responsibility is reflected in the government’s efforts to streamline pub- lic spending and enhance revenue collection. These measures are designed to ensure long-term sustain- ability while maintaining support for key development priorities. The efficient absorption of EU funds, par- ticularly through the NRRP, remains central to Roma- nia’s strategy for inclusive and sustainable growth. Bucharest Arbitration Days 2025, sixth edition Bucharest Arbitration Days is Romania’s leading event dedicated to international arbitration, and held its sixth edition in 2025 under the theme of “Reassess- ing Access to Justice and Due Process in International Arbitration”. The 2025 edition confirmed Romania’s growing prominence as an arbitration hub, position- ing Bucharest alongside more established centres in Europe. The event was organised by CICA in partnership with Wolters Kluwer Romania and attracted over 200 del- egates and 40+ speakers from 14 countries across
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