Romania's inflation rate finally started to ease in June. But volatile oil prices could complicate the central bank's potential interest-rate cuts. A caretaker government also adds uncertainty to the outlook.
That figure also came in just below the 10.5% median estimate from a Bloomberg survey. The decline is primarily attributable to the diminishing impact of tax hikes implemented last year.
Month over month, prices barely budged - they rose only 0.1% in June.
Policymakers expect a "substantial decline" in inflation during the third quarter.
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The ongoing political crisis threatens efforts to reduce one of the European Union's largest budget shortfalls. Romania operates under an interim government with constrained authority - two months ago Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan lost a no-confidence vote, and since then political factions have been unable to agree on a new cabinet.
Nicolae Covrig, an economist at Raiffeisen Bank Romania, said in a report: "The inflation rate should decline markedly in July and August, potentially reaching 5.7% in September." He added that "interest rates should remain on hold for the rest of the year."
The disinflation trend is largely driven by base effects from last year's tax increases. As these one-off price jumps drop out of annual comparisons, headline inflation is expected to decelerate further. However, oil prices remain a wild card: Romania imports a significant share of its crude, and geopolitical tensions could push global energy costs higher, reigniting price pressures.
The political deadlock also delays essential fiscal consolidation measures needed to narrow the budget deficit, which is among the widest in the EU. Without a stable government, passing new tax laws or spending cuts is unlikely until after fresh elections, which may be months away. This uncertainty could force the central bank to keep its benchmark rate elevated longer than otherwise, even as inflation cools.
Romania's inflation battle has been one of the most stubborn in the EU. After peaking at nearly 17% in late 2022, price growth receded slowly as the central bank maintained its restrictive monetary stance. The current 6.5% benchmark rate has been unchanged for more than a year and a half, making it the highest policy rate in the 27-member bloc.
Meanwhile, the fiscal situation remains strained: Romania's budget deficit exceeded 6% of GDP last year, and the European Commission has repeatedly urged consolidation. The combination of political paralysis and high borrowing costs could further pressure the leu, as foreign investors demand higher yields on Romanian sovereign debt. Any delay in fiscal adjustment risks triggering a downgrade from credit rating agencies, raising the cost of financing the deficit even more.
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