Acting Social Democratic Party (PSD) Chair Sorin Grindeanu believes that what the Government is proposing as the „so-called reform of local public administration” is not a reform, but a mass layoff.
„I agreed with Kelemen Hunor [leader of the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania, editor’s note] when he said it is not a reform. I didn’t say it isn’t austerity. Since we’re discussing a topical issue, the so-called reform of local public administration, let me be clear – what is being proposed is not a reform. It is a mass layoff. When you dismiss people, that doesn’t mean you are carrying out a reform; it simply means you are dismissing people. There are, at this moment in Romania, administrative-territorial units – municipalities – that have an excessively large number of employees. And yes, they must reduce that number. But at the same time, we must ensure that public services and citizens’ access to them are not diminished. All these things can be achieved through genuine reform, not through layoffs. You mentioned earlier Government Ordinance 52 – it’s a perfect example of acting foolishly: you cut across the board and end up blocking everything. Then, the same people who promoted it come back asking for exemptions for themselves,” Grindeanu said on Sunday, speaking to private broadcaster Antena 3.
He also stated that the third fiscal package must be the last one for which the Government assumes responsibility.
„This third package must be the last one [adopted through the procedure of assumption of responsibility, editor’s note], to be very clear, because it is an exceptional way of passing laws. That’s what Parliament is for – to debate and adopt them there, not to bypass it. I’ve said this many times before. So, this Package 3 must be the last, but it is essential that it also includes measures for economic recovery and stimulation; otherwise, we risk turning a budgetary crisis into an economic crisis – something we must avoid. When you seem to focus only on cuts and dismissals – things that sometimes aren’t even the most important, but sound good in the media – that’s not the right approach. (…).” Sorin Grindeanu added. AGERPRES
