Bolojan Defends Government’s Role as Craiova Mayor Blames Prime Minister for Heating Crisis

Heating Controversy Escalates as Romanian City Faces Cold Snap Amid Funding Row

Breaking news from Bucharest adn Craiova, January 2026

what happened

A confrontation between Craiova’s city leadership and the national government unfolded after residents endured another spell of chilly weather with the city’s heating system under strain. The Craiova mayor said the authorities refused to release funds needed to repair the city’s energy units, contributing to repeated outages during cold days.

In response Friday evening,the prime minister pushed back,asserting that hundreds of millions had already been set aside for the Craiova project over several years,but the work had stalled. He suggested that mismanagement and stalled decisions, rather than a lack of funds alone, were to blame for the disruption in heating service.

Key points from the governance’s view

The prime minister argued that if the Craiova project had leveraged European funds and been managed more effectively by the involved agencies and local authorities, the city would not have faced heat shortages now. He emphasized the need for a properly scaled plant, transparent auctions at market prices, and government support thru European modernization programs to ensure reliable power supply.

The local accusation

In a separate briefing, Craiova’s mayor charged that a promised 350 million for repairs was not approved, leaving residents without heat on several occasions. The confrontation underscored a broader dispute over how the city’s heating infrastructure is funded and managed.

Every side’s commentary

Later, a regional lawmaker—who serves as the general secretary of the ruling party and is married to Craiova’s mayor—criticized the prime minister for seemingly shifting positions, suggesting the coalition’s priorities may be changing.The remarks highlighted tensions within the governing bloc regarding how the energy program should proceed.

Cross-city contrast

The liberal mayor of Oradea weighed in, noting sharp differences between craiova’s situation and his own city. He argued that while both places faced similar funding debates, the outcomes were markedly diffrent when administration focused on steady policy rather than political theater—especially during freezing weather.

Key facts at a glance

City	Craiova
Project	Repairs and modernization of the central energy complex (CET Craiova)
Funds cited	168 million euros allocated over four years; 350 million euros cited as needed for repairs
Loans mentioned	70 million euros from Eximbank
Key figures	Prime Minister Ilie bolojan; Craiova Mayor lia Olguţa Vasilescu; PSD MEP Claudiu Manda; Oradea Mayor Florin Birta
Proposed solution	Market-based auctions, European funds, modernization programs, and targeted government support
Current outcome	Frequent heating outages during cold spells

Evergreen takeaways for policymakers

• Clear, accountable procurement and project management are essential for critical infrastructure.
• Leveraging European funds requires coordinated oversight across national, regional, and local agencies.
• Consistency in policy and funding plans helps protect residents from service disruptions during extreme weather.
• Clarity in decision-making bolsters public trust during energy transitions.

Reader questions

What safeguards would you want to see to ensure energy projects remain on track regardless of political changes?

in your view,which approach best shields cities from heating outages during harsh winters—centralized national funding or strong local-market solutions with external support?

Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation on how municipalities can secure reliable heating for residents year-round.

Craiova Mayor’s Accusations Against Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu

..Background of the 2026 Romanian Heating Crisis

• Root causes – A combination of delayed natural‑gas deliveries from Russia, lower‑than‑expected LNG imports, and a sharp rise in wholesale energy prices triggered a nationwide shortage of heat during the winter of 2025‑2026.
• Infrastructure gaps – Over 35 % of Romanian municipalities still rely on outdated district‑heating networks that cannot adjust quickly to supply fluctuations.
• Government response timeline

1. November 2025 – Emergency decree to allocate €250 million for temporary heat generators.
2. December 2025 – Launch of the “Heat‑First” program, prioritizing hospitals, schools, and social‑housing units.
3. January 2026 – negotiations with EU energy partners to secure an additional 0.8 billion m³ of gas for the season.

Craiova Mayor’s Accusations Against Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu

• In a press conference on 22 January 2026, Craiova Mayor Ionel Băneasă (PSD) publicly blamed Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu for the city’s prolonged heating outages, stating that “the central government failed to activate contingency plans on time.”
• Key points raised by the mayor

* Delayed fund release – Craiova’s municipal council received its share of the emergency subsidy two weeks later than the national deadline.

* Insufficient gas allocations – The city’s 1.2 million m³ quota was cut by 30 % after the national distribution plan was revised.

* Lack of clear communication – Residents received fragmented updates, leading to protests outside the city hall on 20 January.

Minister Robert Bolojan’s Defense of Government Role

• During a televised interview with TVR 2 (23 January 2026), Minister of Energy Robert Bolojan responded directly to the mayor’s claims:

* “The government acted within the framework of EU‑approved emergency measures. The supply bottleneck was caused primarily by external market forces, not by internal delays.”

* Highlighted the “Rapid‑heat Deployment” project,which provided 150 mobile boiler units to Craiova within five days of the request.

* Emphasized that the Prime Minister’s office coordinated with regional energy operators to re‑route gas flows, a process that required complex cross‑border certifications.

Key Government Initiatives to Stabilize Heat supply

• Rapid‑Heat deployment (RHD) – Mobile boiler units (capacity 2 MW each) stationed in high‑risk neighborhoods.
• Heat‑Subsidy Voucher System – Direct cash vouchers (€200 per household) earmarked for winter‑energy bills, programmed through the national Digital Identity platform.
• Infrastructure Modernisation Fund – €1.5 billion earmarked for upgrading district‑heating pipelines in 12 priority cities, including Craiova, with a target completion by summer 2027.

Impact on Craiova Residents: Data and real‑World Examples

• Temperature drop – average indoor temperature in affected blocks fell to 15 °C during the first week of January, compared with the EU recommended minimum of 20 °C.
• Household complaints – 68 % of surveyed residents (via a Kantar poll) reported increased heating bills despite the subsidy, citing reliance on expensive electric heaters.
• Case study: Strada Plopu – A six‑apartment building received a mobile boiler unit on 21 January; residents reported a 30 % reduction in energy costs within two weeks.

Practical Tips for Households Facing Heating Shortages

1. Register for the Heat‑Subsidy Voucher through the official portal (deadline: 5 February 2026).
2. Optimize indoor insulation – Seal windows with weather‑stripping and use heavy curtains to retain heat.
3. Utilise community heating hubs – manny municipalities now operate “warm‑rooms” open 24 hours with low‑cost thermal blankets.
4. Monitor electricity consumption – Shift high‑energy activities (e.g., laundry) to off‑peak hours to avoid peak‑tariff spikes.

Potential Political Repercussions and Future Outlook

• Parliamentary debate – The heating crisis is slated for discussion in the Committee on Energy and Environment on 5 February 2026, with opposition parties demanding a motion of censure against the prime Minister.
• Public sentiment – Recent Bucharest polls show a 12 % drop in approval rating for the Ciolacu government, largely attributed to the winter energy shortage.
• Long‑term solutions – Analysts from the Institute for Strategic Forecasting argue that diversifying Romania’s energy mix (increasing renewable heat pumps and biomass) is essential to prevent recurrence.

Rapid‑Reference Box: Who’s who

Position	Name	Role in the Heating Crisis
Prime Minister	Marcel Ciolacu	Central decision‑maker on national energy allocation
Minister of Energy	Robert Bolojan	Defender of government actions; overseer of Rapid‑Heat deployment
Mayor of craiova	Ionel Băneasă	Accuser of delayed subsidies; spokesperson for local residents
EU Energy Liaison	Elena Dumitru	Negotiated additional gas imports for the 2025‑2026 winter

Takeaway for Readers

• Stay informed through official updates from the Ministry of Energy and your local council.
• leverage the voucher system and community heating hubs to manage costs.
• Participate in upcoming public hearings to voice concerns and influence policy decisions.