Prime Minister-designate Eugen Tomac said Monday, following a meeting with PNL leaders, that he has high hopes for a fair and honest trial, in line with the expectations of Romanian citizens and the PNL, so that they will grant him a vote of confidence to form the government, Agerpres reports.

He said that on Wednesday he will finalize the list of the government, which will be a technical one, composed of specialists without party affiliations.

‘I had a meeting with the leadership of the National Liberal Party. I presented the objectives of the Cabinet I will propose; these are objectives that stem from Romania’s current priorities. Unfortunately, time is pressing. We face an extremely tense and challenging international context, and we have a series of urgent issues stemming from Romania’s current commitments —the PNRR, the milestones, and the need to implement the necessary reforms so that Romania can access the funds it receives for free from the European Union or through loans. The final payment request is due on September 30. We must also be prepared this fall to make the first drawdown from the SAFE program. We have an obligation, to send a signal of responsibility, to prepare the future budget within the terms provided by law. And I am placing great hope in a fair and honest judgment, in line with the expectations of Romanian citizens, from my colleagues in the National Liberal Party to give me a vote of confidence,” Tomac stated at the PNL headquarters.

The future government, he added, has the responsibility to prepare next year’s budget within the timeframe set by law.

According to him, there is enormous pressure, and he hopes that the parties, setting aside their grievances or legitimate expectations, will give him the chance to provide Romania with a competent government, well-prepared to face the challenges our country is facing.

“I am leaving this meeting with confidence. Mr. Bolojan has initiated a series of important reforms; they must be continued, and I am prepared to carry on with great responsibility along the path Romania is currently taking,” Tomac emphasized.

He was asked whether he was considering a possible tax cut, given the public’s dissatisfaction with tax hikes.

‘All I can promise is that we will not have tax hikes. And obviously, where we can make minor adjustments, we will try to do so in agreement with the parties, precisely because it is very important to be cautious, and a government made up of specialists cannot be a populist government. That is why you will not hear from me any exaggerations or statements that are merely meant to sound good to the public. We are going through a difficult period, and we must demonstrate a great deal of responsibility during this time,” Tomac emphasized.