Start 2025

This year has proven to be far more turbulent than the previous ones, with street protests against the cancellation of presidential elections and austerity measures implemented by the Government through the "Train Ordinance," published in the Official Gazette on the last day of the previous year.

Romanian political life and society are in turmoil following the annulment of the presidential elections, with the ruling parties setting new election dates for May 4 and 18. The key political figure at the start of the year remains the sovereigntist Călin Georgescu, who continues to make controversial, even absurd statements that raise concerns about Romania's future. Recently, he has even taken his message abroad, aligning with the sovereigntist movements. He challenged the cancellation of the elections in Romanian courts, but his appeals were rejected, and now he has turned to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). After the Bucharest Court of Appeal rejected actions taken by Georgescu's allies, the High Court of Cassation and Justice set a date for January 16 to issue a final decision on whether the Government should organize a second round of elections, with expectations that the decision will affirm the lower court's ruling. A pro-Georgescu rally last weekend gathered around 20,000 people, and there is growing support for his candidacy. In last year’s first-round presidential election, he ranked first with 2.2 million votes.

The ruling parties (PSD, PNL, and UDMR) have formally nominated former liberal leader Crin Antonescu as their common candidate for the Presidency, but his candidacy remains uncertain, considered outdated by many analysts and will be tested through opinion polls. Antonescu has already announced that he will withdraw if his poll numbers are low and if he does not receive party support. Other significant potential candidates include Elena Lasconi, who has not withdrawn her candidacy and continues to be supported by USR, as well as the general mayor of Bucharest, Nicușor Dan. However, Georgescu currently leads in the polls. On the international front, European and American officials are concerned about the rise of Călin Georgescu and far-right parties in Romania, but this situation aligns with a broader trend associated with the arrival of Donald Trump at the White House.

In economic and social terms, the "Train Ordinance" is weakly contested by the business environment and more strongly opposed by unions, with street protests expected from public sector workers, especially police officers, who have been the first to start protests. The business environment remains passive and rather silent about the fiscal measures taken by the Government, with a public reaction coming immediately after the adoption of the "Train Ordinance" from the executive director of the Concordia Employers Confederation and the National Council of Small and Medium Enterprises in Romania (CNÎPMMR) through a press release. Prominent business figures are concerned but, as usual, remain in silence when the Government makes unfavorable decisions. There are also concerns among foreign investors and the banking sector, particularly internationally, as many question whether the Romanian economy will withstand political and social shocks and whether investments in Romania are sustainable. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu promises that VAT will not be increased and the flat tax rate will be maintained in 2025, and together with the new Minister of Finance, Tanczos Barna, they attempt to calm the business environment, though unsuccessfully.

In the media, the big news of the year’s beginning was the sale of the Mediafax News Agency by Adrian Sârbu to Radu Budeanu, the owner of Gândul and Cancan. Budeanu had previously bought several media outlets from Adrian Sârbu in 2019, including Gândul, ProSport, ProMotor, Descoperă, CSID, Apropo TV, and Go4IT. Following this transaction, Adrian Sârbu retains control over the Aleph TV channels, while Ziarul Financiar and Business Magazin belong to Mediamex Investment, a company owned by businessman Dan Şucu, in which Sârbu is the CEO. Now 69 years old, Sârbu was one of the most prominent media moguls after 1989 and the founder of Pro TV on December 1, 1995, but he has been facing serious financial problems, with his companies in insolvency. Another disappointing media development was the removal of well-known journalist Tudor Mușat from B1 TV, where he was replaced as the host of a prime-time show.

As we step into 2025, the challenges facing Romania serve as a powerful reminder for those of us in public relations: the importance of resilience, adaptability, and strategic communication. In times of political and social upheaval, the role of PR professionals becomes even more critical—not just in shaping narratives, but in navigating the complexities of crisis communication, managing stakeholder expectations, and maintaining transparency.

As we watch the political landscape unfold, it’s clear that our work goes beyond simply managing reputations; it’s about understanding the pulse of society, anticipating shifts, and helping clients respond with empathy and clarity. With the stakes higher than ever, 2025 offers an opportunity for PR professionals to demonstrate their true value by guiding organizations and individuals through the storm with integrity and foresight. In this ever-changing environment, the ability to craft messages that resonate with authenticity will be the key to maintaining trust and sustaining long-term relationships.