FMI lowers economic growth forecast

IPN.md

24 April 2025
17:47

The International Monetary Fund (FMI) has published an update on the world economy with alarming forecasts for economic growth in the United States, China and other countries. The reason is the increased tariffs imposed by the US and, consequently, a possible escalation of the trade war, IPN reports.

“We are entering a new era, when the global economic system that has existed for the last 80 years is being restarted,” said International Monetary Fund chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, quoted by The Bell.

Compared to January, the new global economic growth forecast for this year’s global economy has fallen by half a percentage point, – 0.5 percentage points, to 2.8%, and for 2026 it is expected to fall by 0.3 percentage points to 3%. Inflation will not slow down as quickly as expected: the forecast for 2025 and 2026 has been raised by 0.1 percentage points to 4.3% and 3.6% respectively.

The US will be hardest hit due to “unprecedented uncertainty” as well as other trade tensions, analysts explain. The US GDP growth forecast for 2025 has been sharply reduced by 0.9 percentage points to 1.8%, and for 2026 – to 1.7%, down 0.4 percentage points. Inflation this year is expected to be 3%, up 1 percentage point from the January estimate. The risk of recession has increased from 25% to 37%.

For the eurozone, GDP growth was forecast at 0.8% in 2025 and 1.2% in 2026. Although a slowdown is expected across Europe, Spain could be an exception, Reuters reports. Spain’s GDP growth forecast has been raised to 2.5% in 2025 and growth in 2026 is expected to be 1.8%, as in January.

The IMF has lowered its estimate for developed countries to 1.4% in 2025 and 1.5% in 2026. For emerging markets to 3.7% in 2025 and 3.9% for 2026.

China’s GDP growth forecast has been cut to 4% for two years. And India’s growth is expected to be 6.2% in 2025 and 6.3% in 2026.

For the Russian Federation, this year’s forecast has been adjusted slightly upwards to 1.5%, but in the future it is expected to slow to 0.9%, less than previously forecast.

Foreign Affairs

Rocket fallen in Poland. Tusk says it could be of Russian origin

Civil status services at the diplomatic missions of the Republic of Moldova, suspended in August

Zelensky and Tusk discussed missile defense and support for Ukraine

Nicusor Dan reaffirms Romania’s support for joint projects with the Republic of Moldova

The EU Council updates the Plan for Ukraine and approves additional funding of 8.3 billion euros

Ilie Bolojan: The projects between Romania and Moldova are intended to improve the lives of citizens

by Iana Josu 30.07.2026

Romania will continue to support the Republic of Moldova in the European integration process, including through the experience gained as an EU member state and through political-diplomatic support. The statement was made by the interim Prime Minister of Romania, Ilie Bolojan, during a joint press conference with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Vasile Tofan, who is in Bucharest, reports IPN.

Ilie Bolojan stated that the most important joint strategic project of the two countries is the advancement of the European path of the Republic of Moldova. “We hope that by the end of this year, at the level of the European Union, the necessary political decisions will be made to open negotiations on the other four clusters,” said the interim Prime Minister of Romania.

The Romanian official also mentioned the progress of joint projects in the field of infrastructure and energy. Among these are the 400 kV electric lines Suceava-Balti and Gutinas-Strasni, as well as the bridge at Ungheni, which will connect the Republic of Moldova to the European transport network through Romania. The work on the bridge is expected to be completed by the end of the year. At the same time, the two states are advancing in the project to reopen the Fălciu-Cantemir railway connection, interrupted for 17 years.

In turn, Prime Minister Vasile Tofan highlighted the importance of bilateral economic relations. According to him, Romania is the main export market for Moldovan products, accounting for almost 30% of exports, and trade exchanges between the two countries have exceeded three billion euros. The official also said that the economic relationship needs to surpass the level of trade and be supported by more Romanian investments in the Republic of Moldova.

Referring to European integration, the Prime Minister stated that the objective of the authorities is to sign the accession treaty by the end of 2028 and prepare the Republic of Moldova for EU member state status by 2030. “It’s an ambitious target, but it’s important to work with clear deadlines and I’m confident we can succeed,” said Vasile Tofan.

The visit to Bucharest is Vasile Tofan’s first foreign trip since his inauguration as Prime Minister.

30.07.2026

The People’s Assembly of Gagauzia asks the Parliament to suspend the examination of amendments to the Electoral Code

Iurie Tap: The APL reform must create authorities capable of providing services to the population

AOVA requests guarantees for the land intended for the relocation of dogs from the shelter

Oleg Ivancioglo: The consultation of citizens must remain a condition even in the case of normative amalgamation

Dan Nicorici: Financial incentives are the engine of voluntary amalgamation

FMI lowers economic growth forecast

IPN.md

24 April 2025
17:47

The IMF has lowered its estimate for developed countries to 1.4% in 2025 and 1.5% in 2026. For emerging markets to 3.7% in 2025 and 3.9% for 2026.

China’s GDP growth forecast has been cut to 4% for two years. And India’s growth is expected to be 6.2% in 2025 and 6.3% in 2026.

For the Russian Federation, this year’s forecast has been adjusted slightly upwards to 1.5%, but in the future it is expected to slow to 0.9%, less than previously forecast.

Foreign Affairs

Dan Perciun: The Restart Reform does not affect the mandates of school directors appointed through competition

Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, greeted with military honors at Victoria Palace

Partial traffic restrictions on Pantelimon Halippa Street, for a month

Gacikevici, detained in a money laundering case. Today, the verdict in the BEM loans case is expected

Valentin Gaidarji calls for the involvement of European institutions in the dispute with Chisinau over electoral legislation

Three firefighters have died in Greece during interventions at vegetation fires

by Bolohan Maxim 30.07.2026

Three firefighters have died in Greece while battling wildfires in Crete and the Peloponnese. Two of them died in the Rethymno region, in the west of the island of Crete, and the third near the port city of Gytheio, in the south of the Peloponnese, reports the BBC, quoted by IPN.

In Crete, fires were fueled by strong gusts of wind, leading to the evacuation of several localities, including the village of Krya Vrysi. The most extensive fire front reached approximately 15 kilometers. Outbreaks also erupted on the islands of Paros and Lesbos, as well as in the Trifylia area of mainland Greece. Over 150 firefighters are intervening to limit the fires, but weather conditions complicate operations.

Wildfires are also affecting the southern part of Turkey, in the province of Muğla, where the road between Fethiye and Antalya has been temporarily closed, and a hospital has been preventively evacuated.

In Spain, a fire near Valencia remains uncontrolled, as firefighters strive to prevent the rekindling of other recently contained outbreaks. The situation occurs against the backdrop of the fourth heatwave of the summer, which keeps the risk of vegetation fires high.

At the same time, in France, the fires in Gironde have been extinguished, but 16 departments remain under an orange heatwave alert. Authorities warn that high temperatures could favor the reignition of fires.

30.07.2026

Alexandru Tanase: The simple merging of town halls does not mean the reform of local administration

Former deputy Fiodor Gagauz announces that he will run for the position of Governor of Gagauzia

Explainer | The neutrality of the Republic of Moldova, between “militarization” and the alleged participation in the war in Ukraine

Eremei Priseajniuc: Nobody knows what the criterion for merging districts is

Alexandru Arsenie: Four-five districts must be unified into a single administrative entity