UDMR leader Kelemen Hunor acknowledges that the current period is a difficult one for the governing coalition, but believes that administrative and economic reforms can no longer be postponed, despite the tensions between the parties.
Referring to the administrative reform, the UDMR leader told on Tuesday evening, on Antena 1, that the proposal to reduce the number of positions in the state apparatus by 10% is almost finalized and will be discussed in the government next week.
„We have been discussing the issue of central and local administration for two and a half months, where the proposal is to reduce it by 10% and it is a fair target. And we must do this this autumn. We should have done it faster, I admit, but the two big parties did not reach an agreement. This is the truth, I cannot hide behind my fingers and say that they actually reached an agreement, but it was not possible. They did not reach an agreement! Some wanted to cut from the occupied and vacant positions, others wanted only from the expenses in the salary envelope and the two visions did not meet. Today we discussed and what the last version presented, including the central administration, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow will be put into a legal text and will be sent to all the coalition leaders. Next week we are discussing and it must enter the first reading in the government session and the Government must come before Parliament assuming responsibility or coming up with a draft law”, declared Kelemen Hunor.
He admitted that austerity measures and tax increases are not enough to reduce the budget deficit and warned that, without investments and economic incentives, Romania risks remaining stuck.
„You cannot solve this deficit only by increasing taxes and reducing expenses. You have to boost economic growth, investments, and if we do not do this, we will lose this bet”, said Kelemen Hunor.
He concluded that if „someone thinks that at this moment it is a great joy and happiness to be in the Government or to be in a coalition, they are wrong”. AGERPRES
