Social Democratic Party (PSD) interim chairman Sorin Grindeanu sent a message on Wednesday, on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons, stressing that protecting the standard of living of low-income pensioners remains a priority for the Social Democrats.

‘On the International Day of Older Persons, I want to assure you that, for me and for PSD, defending the standard of living of pensioners with low incomes remains a priority! That is why I am pleased that we have just convinced our coalition partners of the need to approve an important measure. It concerns the payment of the second instalment of the 800 lei support scheme for pensioners with monthly incomes below 2,574 lei, the first 400 lei having been paid in April,’ Grindeanu wrote on Facebook.

According to him, around 2.7 million pensioners will receive this financial support before Christmas.

‘I know it is not enough, but I am convinced that for many low-income elderly people, it will be a welcome help. It is no secret that pensioners will receive this support only due to PSD’s intervention – otherwise, the funds were going to be cut during the budget revision. Similarly, it was only after PSD’s insistence that the Government agreed to extend the cap on mark-ups for essential food items, a measure especially helpful for pensioners with small pensions. One of the main reasons we are in government is to stand by those who need support the most,’ said the PSD leader. AGERPRES