Romania: Political debate over industrial decline and shipyard privatization

Former Romanian Prime Minister Petre Roman and former Foreign Minister Adrian Severin have commented on the decline of major Romanian industrial capacities since 1991. Roman highlighted the loss of significant industrial potential, citing failed opportunities to modernize companies such as Electroputere Craiova, Autobuzul București și Camioane Roman, and Tractorul Brașov through partnerships with Siemens and Fiat.

Separately, a heated political dispute has emerged regarding the privatization of the Mangalia Naval Shipyard. Former Prime Minister Victor Ponta and Vice-Premier Radu Miruță engaged in a verbal confrontation over the shipyard's financial status. Ponta accused Miruță of overlooking losses to the state, while Miruță attributed the shipyard's bankruptcy to previous PSD management and argued for its strategic importance to NATO due to its Black Sea access.