{"id":2111865,"date":"2026-08-25T11:00:34","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T08:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2111865"},"modified":"2026-08-25T11:00:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T08:00:34","slug":"european-conservatives-and-liberals-join-forces-to-urge-eu-to-freeze-e770-million-in-romania-funds-over-mayor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2111865","title":{"rendered":"European conservatives and liberals join forces to urge EU to freeze \u20ac770 million in Romania funds over mayor"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/75\/42\/1200x675_cmsv2_b2466983-6913-5f6a-b8ad-8bb4f0f3e087-9887542.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2920610-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2920610\" data-cid=\"9889015\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920610-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/90\/15\/189x106_cmsv2_8ea389b4-0c59-5350-bfa1-68199eb7e2e1-9889015.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Nagoyajo, or Nagoya Castle, is seen in the capital of the Aichi prefecture, central Japan, Dec. 5, 2025\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    More than 1,000 volunteers pull historic castle back to its original site in Japan\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2920633-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2920633\" data-cid=\"9889161\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920633-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/91\/61\/189x106_cmsv2_359fd1ec-82cf-5f1c-8aea-444f5ce78e3b-9889161.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"How to reset children\u2019s sleep schedules.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Health news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Back-to-school: How to reset children\u2019s sleep schedules\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2920629-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2920629\" data-cid=\"9889108\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920629-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/91\/08\/189x106_cmsv2_f11e8fbc-da88-5d10-ad04-70eb47de784c-9889108.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A tug boat cruises on Musi River as haze from wildfires blankets the city of Palembang, 25 August, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Indonesia<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Fire haze threatens health of millions in Indonesia, ministry warns\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2920622-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2920622\" data-cid=\"9889076\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920622-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/90\/76\/189x106_cmsv2_f08a7695-8266-50ad-9765-0b3d584e1049-9889076.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Women cry at the site where their relatives were killed in a gang attack in the Kenscoff neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday, 24 Aug, 2026. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Haiti<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    More than 50 kidnapped as violent gang attack in Haiti leaves 47 dead\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2920610-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2920610\" data-cid=\"9889015\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920610-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/90\/15\/189x106_cmsv2_8ea389b4-0c59-5350-bfa1-68199eb7e2e1-9889015.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Nagoyajo, or Nagoya Castle, is seen in the capital of the Aichi prefecture, central Japan, Dec. 5, 2025\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    More than 1,000 volunteers pull historic castle back to its original site in Japan\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2920633-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2920633\" data-cid=\"9889161\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920633-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/91\/61\/189x106_cmsv2_359fd1ec-82cf-5f1c-8aea-444f5ce78e3b-9889161.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"How to reset children\u2019s sleep schedules.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Health news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Back-to-school: How to reset children\u2019s sleep schedules\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2920629-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2920629\" data-cid=\"9889108\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920629-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/91\/08\/189x106_cmsv2_f11e8fbc-da88-5d10-ad04-70eb47de784c-9889108.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A tug boat cruises on Musi River as haze from wildfires blankets the city of Palembang, 25 August, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Indonesia<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Fire haze threatens health of millions in Indonesia, ministry warns\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2920622-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2920622\" data-cid=\"9889076\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920622-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/90\/76\/189x106_cmsv2_f08a7695-8266-50ad-9765-0b3d584e1049-9889076.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Women cry at the site where their relatives were killed in a gang attack in the Kenscoff neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday, 24 Aug, 2026. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Haiti<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    More than 50 kidnapped as violent gang attack in Haiti leaves 47 dead\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            European conservatives and liberals join forces to urge EU to freeze \u20ac770 million in Romania funds over mayor<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/75\/42\/1536x864_cmsv2_b2466983-6913-5f6a-b8ad-8bb4f0f3e087-9887542.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Renew Europe&apos;s leader Val\u00e9rie Hayer and EPP leader Manfred Weber in the European Parliament\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Renew Europe&#8217;s leader Val\u00e9rie Hayer and EPP leader Manfred Weber in the European Parliament<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">EbS<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0EbS\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspVincenzo Genovese\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1787655634\">\n                    Published on                 <time datetime=\"2026-08-25 13:00:34 +02:00\">25\/08\/2026 &#8211; 13:00 GMT+2<\/time><span class=\"c-article-publication-date__bullet\">\u2022<\/span>Updated<br \/>\n                                     <time datetime=\"2026-08-26 09:28:11 +02:00\">26\/08\/2026 &#8211; 9:28 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span 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loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Romania risks losing up to \u20ac770 million as a deadline looms for completing reforms, including a disputed law that could oust liberal leader and mayor Dominic Fritz. European conservatives and liberals are calling for the funds to be blocked.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>The centre-right European People\u2019s Party (EPP) and the liberal Renew Europe group urged the European Commission on Tuesday to consider freezing \u20ac770 million in EU funds earmarked for Romania.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In a letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen seen by Euronews, the leaders of the two groups, Manfred Weber and Val\u00e9rie Hayer, called for money from the EU\u2019s post-pandemic Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) to be withheld, arguing that it could \u201cinadvertently contribute to undermining Romanian democracy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>At the heart of their concerns is a disputed law that they say could target liberal leader and Timi\u0219oara Mayor Dominic Fritz, a prominent political figure in Romania.<\/p>\n<p>The law governing integrity in public office, recently approved by Romania\u2019s Parliament, could remove Fritz, the leader of the Save Romania Union (USR), from office over a previous conflict-of-interest case.<\/p>\n<p>A provision introduced by the Romanian Socialist Party (PSD) stipulates that officials with a final conflict-of-interest finding, whose three-year sanction period has not yet expired, would have their mandates terminated within 30 days of the new law entering into force.<\/p>\n<p>Fritz, a German national who was first elected mayor six years ago, was found to have been involved in an administrative conflict of interest in connection with an urban planning document he approved in 2020.<\/p>\n<p>According to a final ruling by Romania\u2019s High Court of Cassation and Justice last June, the document had been prepared by a company belonging to an architect and USR local councillor who had supported Fritz\u2019s election campaign.<\/p>\n<p>Weber and Hayer argue that applying the amendment retroactively would violate both Romanian and EU law, accusing the PSD and the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) of instrumentalising the legislation.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPublic statements by senior PSD and AUR leaders leave no doubt that the amendment was specifically designed to target a single individual,\u201d the letter reads.<\/p>\n<p>According to the EPP and Renew Europe leaders, the Commission should \u201cmake it unequivocally clear\u201d that the disbursement of EU funds is conditional on respect for the rule of law. They also urged Parliament to reconsider the legislation.<\/p>\n<p>The Senate, the decision-making chamber, is due to vote on the bill on Wednesday. If definitively approved, the law could be promulgated soon, as it is among the remaining reforms Romania must complete by the end of August to access the post-pandemic funds.<\/p>\n<p>If Romania\u2019s reforms are deemed insufficient to meet the milestones agreed with the Commission, the country could lose part of the \u20ac770 million, depending on which targets have not been met.<\/p>\n<p>A Commission spokesperson said on Tuesday that the EU executive had received the letter and that &#8220;the integrity law will be assessed as part of the last payment request&#8221; to be submitted by Romania.<\/p>\n<p>Behind the letter lies a wider political battle in a country currently governed by an interim government and marked by growing political fragmentation.<\/p>\n<p>The PSD brought down the previous governing coalition, led by centre-right Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, through a no-confidence vote supported by AUR.<\/p>\n<p>An unusual alliance between left-leaning and far-right forces could now form a new government, as the PSD, AUR and the ultra-nationalist SOS party hold a majority of seats in Parliament.<\/p>\n<p>The PSD delegation to the European Parliament said in a press note that it considers &#8220;unacceptable&#8221; taking domestic political disputes to the European level at the risk of harming Romania\u2019s financial interests. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;No party interest and no politician can be more important than European funds intended for Romanians,&#8221; the note reads.<\/p>\n<p><em>Euronews Romania contributed to this article.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Romania is falling behind the renewables race. Can the EU&#8217;s biggest solar farm save it?<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Romania shuts off second reactor at Cernavod\u0103 NPP amid low water levels on Danube<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  EU Commission demands answers from Poland following alleged misuse of recovery funds<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Romania<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  European Commission<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  European Union<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2920422-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920422\" data-cid=\"9888110\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920422-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/81\/10\/320x180_cmsv2_e8b030e5-96c0-5481-82a5-0846365dfa51-9888110.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ukraine&#8217;s funding gap puts EU in a bind as Zelenskyy seeks fast cash<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2920452-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920452\" data-cid=\"9888239\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920452-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/82\/39\/320x180_cmsv2_7da615d9-ccc9-536c-a248-ae1f91c6d72e-9888239.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"File - Wind turbines turn beside BP\u2019s Scholven refinery in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, on 22 October 2022. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Europe\u2019s gas prices are surging. Who will be the first to pay more?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2920583-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920583\" data-cid=\"9888905\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920583-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/89\/01\/320x180_cmsv2_188a349c-c82b-5117-b71a-14ba681195d0-9888901.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"file photo\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    More than 200 migrants rescued off Crete at dawn<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2920601-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920601\" data-cid=\"9888969\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920601-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/89\/69\/320x180_cmsv2_38482c75-67a9-5c5a-aec9-78861297fa72-9888969.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Relatives of the children who died in a hospital fire, gather at the hospital, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, 26 Aug, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Pakistan hospital fire kills 14 newborns, officials say<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2920621-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920621\" data-cid=\"9889065\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920621-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/79\/71\/84\/320x180_cmsv2_cd63eae8-784d-5400-b338-83f9ba3b8a81-9797184.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - Dario Amodei, CEO and co-founder of Anthropic, attends the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, 23 Jan. 2025. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Anthropic IPO: Five things to know before its Wall Street debut<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2920328-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920328\" data-cid=\"9887542\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Conservatives, liberals call to freeze EU cash for Romania over mayor<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2920023-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920023\" data-cid=\"9886041\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Netherlands withdraws from &#8216;no longer&#8217; neutral 2027 Eurovision<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2920025-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920025\" data-cid=\"9886044\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Canada walked away from Trump. Could the EU ever do the same?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2920037-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920037\" data-cid=\"9886120\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Meloni made migrant &#8216;returns&#8217; popular in the EU. Now it&#8217;s backfiring<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2919966-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2919966\" data-cid=\"9886076\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iranian state TV airs video targeting Barron Trump with $10m bounty<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2920422-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920422\" data-cid=\"9888110\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920422-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/81\/10\/320x180_cmsv2_e8b030e5-96c0-5481-82a5-0846365dfa51-9888110.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ukraine&#8217;s funding gap puts EU in a bind as Zelenskyy seeks fast cash<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2920452-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920452\" data-cid=\"9888239\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920452-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/82\/39\/320x180_cmsv2_7da615d9-ccc9-536c-a248-ae1f91c6d72e-9888239.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"File - Wind turbines turn beside BP\u2019s Scholven refinery in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, on 22 October 2022. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Europe\u2019s gas prices are surging. Who will be the first to pay more?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2920583-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920583\" data-cid=\"9888905\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920583-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/89\/01\/320x180_cmsv2_188a349c-c82b-5117-b71a-14ba681195d0-9888901.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"file photo\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    More than 200 migrants rescued off Crete at dawn<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2920601-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920601\" data-cid=\"9888969\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920601-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/89\/69\/320x180_cmsv2_38482c75-67a9-5c5a-aec9-78861297fa72-9888969.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Relatives of the children who died in a hospital fire, gather at the hospital, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, 26 Aug, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Pakistan hospital fire kills 14 newborns, officials say<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2920621-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920621\" data-cid=\"9889065\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920621-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/79\/71\/84\/320x180_cmsv2_cd63eae8-784d-5400-b338-83f9ba3b8a81-9797184.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - Dario Amodei, CEO and co-founder of Anthropic, attends the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, 23 Jan. 2025. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Anthropic IPO: Five things to know before its Wall Street debut<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2920328-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920328\" data-cid=\"9887542\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Conservatives, liberals call to freeze EU cash for Romania over mayor<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2920023-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920023\" data-cid=\"9886041\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Netherlands withdraws from &#8216;no longer&#8217; neutral 2027 Eurovision<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2920025-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920025\" data-cid=\"9886044\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Canada walked away from Trump. Could the EU ever do the same?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2920037-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920037\" data-cid=\"9886120\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Meloni made migrant &#8216;returns&#8217; popular in the EU. Now it&#8217;s backfiring<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2919966-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2919966\" data-cid=\"9886076\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iranian state TV airs video targeting Barron Trump with $10m bounty<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">The centre-right European People\u2019s Party (EPP) and the liberal Renew Europe group urged the European Commission on Tuesday to consider freezing \u20ac770 million in EU funds earmarked for Romania.In a letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen seen by Euronews, the leaders of the two groups, Manfred Weber and Val\u00e9rie Hayer, called for money from the EU\u2019s post-pandemic Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) to be withheld, arguing that it could \u201cinadvertently contribute to undermining Romanian democracy.\u201dAt the heart of their concerns is a disputed law that they say could target liberal leader and Timi\u0219oara Mayor Dominic Fritz, a prominent political figure in Romania.The law governing integrity in public office, recently approved by Romania\u2019s Parliament, could remove Fritz, the leader of the Save Romania Union (USR), from office over a previous conflict-of-interest case.A provision introduced by the Romanian Socialist Party (PSD) stipulates that officials with a final conflict-of-interest finding, whose three-year sanction period has not yet expired, would have their mandates terminated within 30 days of the new law entering into force.Fritz, a German national who was first elected mayor six years ago, was found to have been involved in an administrative conflict of interest in connection with an urban planning document he approved in 2020.According to a final ruling by Romania\u2019s High Court of Cassation and Justice last June, the document had been prepared by a company belonging to an architect and USR local councillor who had supported Fritz\u2019s election campaign.Weber and Hayer argue that applying the amendment retroactively would violate both Romanian and EU law, accusing the PSD and the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) of instrumentalising the legislation.\u201cPublic statements by senior PSD and AUR leaders leave no doubt that the amendment was specifically designed to target a single individual,\u201d the letter reads.According to the EPP and Renew Europe leaders, the Commission should \u201cmake it unequivocally clear\u201d that the disbursement of EU funds is conditional on respect for the rule of law. They also urged Parliament to reconsider the legislation.The Senate, the decision-making chamber, is due to vote on the bill on Wednesday. If definitively approved, the law could be promulgated soon, as it is among the remaining reforms Romania must complete by the end of August to access the post-pandemic funds.If Romania\u2019s reforms are deemed insufficient to meet the milestones agreed with the Commission, the country could lose part of the \u20ac770 million, depending on which targets have not been met.A Commission spokesperson said on Tuesday that the EU executive had received the letter and that &#8220;the integrity law will be assessed as part of the last payment request&#8221; to be submitted by Romania.Behind the letter lies a wider political battle in a country currently governed by an interim government and marked by growing political fragmentation.The PSD brought down the previous governing coalition, led by centre-right Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, through a no-confidence vote supported by AUR.An unusual alliance between left-leaning and far-right forces could now form a new government, as the PSD, AUR and the ultra-nationalist SOS party hold a majority of seats in Parliament.The PSD delegation to the European Parliament said in a press note that it considers &#8220;unacceptable&#8221; taking domestic political disputes to the European level at the risk of harming Romania\u2019s financial interests.&#8221;No party interest and no politician can be more important than European funds intended for Romanians,&#8221; the note reads.Euronews Romania contributed to this article.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/08\/25\/european-conservatives-and-liberals-join-forces-to-urge-eu-to-freeze-770-million-in-romani&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/75\/42\/1200x675_cmsv2_b2466983-6913-5f6a-b8ad-8bb4f0f3e087-9887542.jpg&#8221;] No Comment More than 1,000 volunteers pull historic castle back to its original site in Japan Health news Back-to-school: How to reset children\u2019s sleep schedules Indonesia Fire haze threatens health of millions in Indonesia, ministry warns Haiti More than 50 kidnapped as violent gang attack in Haiti leaves 47 dead No Comment [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2111865","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2111865","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2111865"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2111865\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2111865"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2111865"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2111865"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}