The Romanian Government is considering a new wave of stock market listings for state-owned companies, including the National Lottery, according to a report presented to the Cabinet by Deputy Prime Minister Oana Gheorghiu.
The proposal would allow minority stakes in selected public enterprises to be listed, with the state remaining the majority shareholder. The Government says this approach would improve transparency, strengthen performance and support the development of the capital market.
The report reviews 22 state-owned companies and identifies several as potential candidates for listing on the Bucharest Stock Exchange. Among them is the Romanian Lottery. It is described as an exploratory document that recommends feasibility studies rather than firm decisions or independent market evaluations.
Based on stock market valuations as of March 2026, the first three potential transactions could raise between RON 3bn ($692.63m) and RON 8bn for the state budget.
The Social Democratic Party (PSD), the largest party in the coalition Government, has opposed the plan, arguing against the listing of minority stakes in state companies.
Sorin Grindeanu from PSD stated: “PSD opposes the sale of profitable state-owned companies. I want to make a distinction so there is no confusion. I have asked the leader of the senators, Daniel Zamfir, to submit a bill in Parliament to do this and to prohibit, for a period of two years, the sale of shares in profitable state-owned companies.”
Meanwhile, a wider political crisis is unfolding in Romania. The PSD is expected to withdraw its support for Liberal Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan on Monday. PSD ministers are also expected to resign from the cabinet later this week.
In February, the Romanian Government passed an ordinance transferring the authority to approve land-based gambling hall licenses to local authorities.
At a national level, more than 40 Romanian local authorities and towns have proposed measures to stop issuing gambling hall licences
