Ilie Bolojan

Prime Minister — Romania

Country momentum 0 — Quarterly momentum: the Bureau's read on the country's trajectory over the last quarter, from −10 (deteriorating fast) to +10 (accelerating).

• Pushed emergency fiscal repair as caretaker: VAT raised 19→21%, bank tax doubled 2→4%, deficit target cut from 7.7% to 6.2%. Inflation fell from 10.4% in June to 6.2% in August 2026.
• The CEE outlook sees a 0.7% contraction in 2026 (OECD: -0.1%) — the austerity cure is shrinking the patient. The deficit target is 6.2%, down from 7.7%.
• Doing the necessary fiscal surgery without democratic cover — responsible economics, fragile legitimacy. The country needs an elected government.
• NATO and EU member; hosts US missile defence at Deveselu. The alliance anchor holds even as the government drifts.