‘Romania first’: Copycat Energy Minister Burduja Pushes Back on Green Deal – COMMENTARY 

Like Trump, the energy minister criticizes 'greening policies' that threaten the economy. What's the truth?

7 February 2025

Romania’s energy minister is pushing to repeal parts of the Green Deal, claiming EU policies are a ‘utopia’ that harms the economy. Yet the same policies have unlocked billions in funding, modernised the energy sector and positioned Romania as a regional energy player.

Dozens of private energy companies, as well as state entities and authorities, received a letter from the liberal energy minister Sebastian Burduja. In it, he appeals for ‘energy patriotism’ and the defence of Romania’s ‘legitimate’ interests, following Trump’s example.

Burduja asks recipients to send proposals by 7 February for suspending or repealing the Green Deal and some European environmental proposals. This is not the first time that the Ministry of Energy in Bucharest has taken duplicitous positions, mixing half-truths with phrases such as ‘Romania has energy for all of Europe.’

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Laura Popa

Laura Popa has a degree in political science and now works in radio and print media. She is an author at the Romanian outlet PressOne.

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