Minister Pîslaru: “VAT growth will be a temporary measure” / What is the deadline for “an insatiable law” regarding the pensions of the magistrates
The Minister of European Investments and Projects, Dragoș Pîslaru, said at Digi24 that VAT could remain at 21% for the next 3-5 years, with a more optimistic scenario in which the return to a lower level could be done earlier.
Dragoș Pîslaru said that the decision to increase VAT was determined by the rapid need to balance the state finances, but could be returned to a lower level of tax in the coming years.
How much VAT will be kept at 21%
The VAT has been increased because a consumer fee reacts much faster to adjustment than other types of income. In the short term – this manual is – we need some immediate measures on consumption taxes (…) Our assumption is that it will be a temporary measure, not a definitive one. Now we collect as if the VAT would be 14%, ”said Pîslaru.
He said that the current VAT level could be maintained for an interval of 3-5 years, depending on how quickly the balancing program will be. The minister invoked even a scenario in which the VAT decrease could be done faster.
“We are talking about a tax trajectory that we want to achieve even faster, with a very good absorption of European funds,” said the Minister of Investments and European projects.
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Magistrate's pensions, a teddy bear until November
Regarding the project of reform of the pensions of the magistrates, Pîslaru said that it is a commitment caught “without denial” in the government program, assumed by all parties, as well as in PNRR.
“There is a separation of powers in the state, and everyone can formulate their opinions. The prerogative of the government to the judiciary is related to the budget. We discuss a flagrant inequity, incomparable to any state in the European Union,” said Dragoș Pîslaru.
Minister Dragoș Pîslaru, about special pensions: the deadline is November 28. The European Commission is not a bau-bau
He said that the request for payment 3 for PNRR is conditioned by the remedy of problems reported by the European Commission, the term being six months, ie in November.
“Until November 28, when we have to show not only that we have a voted law, but that it is insane,” said the minister adding that the reform is a necessity both in terms of sustainability of the pension system and equity
“In Brussels, it is appreciated to change the tone in Romania on this problem (…) The atmosphere is mixed. On the one hand, it is a great thanks that we seem to have woken up, that we do not keep under the press in the election year.
What was obtained by renegotiating PNRR
Minister Pîslaru made this statement one day after announcing the results of renegotiation with the European Commission of the PNRR, whereby 5 lots of the Moldovan Highway, A7, will be financed with 2.15 billion euros from non -reimbursable funds. “We are talking about the Focșani-Bacău section, with three segments, and two lots from Bacău-Pașcani, namely Baca-Trifești and Trifești-Gheăești. Moving to Grant represents a certainty of execution of these works,” said Pîslaru.
He mentioned that three new hospitals were included in the negotiations, adding to the five medical units that are considered to be completed in time (from Cluj, Craiova, Bistrița, Ilfov and Sibiu). The eight hospitals would benefit from 535 million euros funding, of which 260 million euros for the three subsequently included.
“We are talking about the Tuberculosis Diagnostic and Treatment Center 'Zerlendi', the County Emergency Clinical Hospital 'St. Andrew's Apostle' in Constanța and the Emergency Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases and Transplant Târgu Mureș,” he said.
Also, 180 million euros were obtained for the 'renovation wave' and an allocation of 400 million euros for the water and sewerage network.
“In the environment, we practically obtained about 200 million euros in addition to the situation in June. 80 million euros for the digitalization of the judicial system. 86.25 million euros, confirmed for the production of green hydrogen,” he said.
Dragoș Pîslaru mentioned that two new investments were included in the PNRR. This is an allocation of 183.6 million euros for 1,200 ambulances. At the same time, 100 million euros will be granted for the capitalization of the Investment and Development Bank, an institution created by PNRR. For these, other investments are joined for: the National Register of Buildings, the Water Cadastre (30 million euros), the automation of processes in the public administration (15 million euros).
