Romanian Government Lacks Fiscal Plan Amid Deficit Deadline, Brussels May Extend

Romania is currently governed by an interim government with limited powers and faces a pressing deadline to submit a fiscal plan to the European Commission to reduce its budget deficit from over 9% to 7%, with looming tax increases such as VAT and income tax considered inevitable. The government must find immediate additional funds, as prior promises of spending cuts and improved tax collection have not materialized, risking the blockage of European funds and requiring reforms to bring the deficit below 3% within seven years. In the United States, concerns over federal 'mission creep' highlight how originally limited programs like Job Corps, WIC, and USAID have expanded significantly, adding costly services and initiatives such as DEI education and LGBTQ support abroad, often with minimal oversight or clear returns on investment, burdening taxpayers. Meanwhile, under President Trump’s administration, a landmark decision reversed the mistaken deportation of a Guatemalan asylum seeker, O.C.G., who fled persecution due to his sexual orientation, illustrating ongoing legal battles over immigration and deportation policies. These developments underscore challenges of governance, fiscal responsibility, and social policy both in Europe and the U.S., with significant implications for accountability and human rights.