The leu’s indicative is only a notch below the historic low of 4.4168 per euro recorded on May 2, shortly after Romania’s former centrist government was toppled in a no-confidence motion.
Against the US dollar, the leu lost 0.32% on the day to 3.4141 units, a fresh low since January 16.
The leu opened up at 4.4175/4.42 per euro, from 4.424/4.426 per euro at Wednesday close. It later lost ground and hit an early low of 4.426 per euro.
The leu is expected to face downside pressure in the short term, amid a negative sentiment in international markets and following comments from the central bank suggesting the bank could allow more flexibility in the local market, said Vlad Muscalu, senior economist at ING Bank Romania.
At around 1:00 pm, the leu traded at 4.4165 to the euro.
On the money market, overnight rates were flat at 3.8%-4.3% a year.