www.mediafax.ro/economic/romania-cel-mai-mare-defi

Romania recorded the highest budget deficit in the EU in Q2 2026, reaching 9.2% of GDP, according to Eurostat. This marks an increase from 5.5% in Q1 and surpasses the 7.7% deficit from Q2 2025. The EU average was 3.5%, with Romania's deficit significantly higher than that of Hungary, which had 7.2%. The cash deficit for the first half of 2026 was reported at 2% of GDP, indicating a reduction compared to the previous year. Economic stagnation and declining purchasing power due to inflation have impacted the budget. Additionally, public investment obligations and the status of various funding programs, including the PNRR, are highlighted. The financing needs for 2026 are estimated at 278.5 billion lei, covering both the budget deficit and public debt refinancing.