Disputes in the coalition on the issue of paying the debts of the Capital City Hall from the money of other local administrations
PSD, USR and UDMR representatives accused, on Monday, in the coalition meeting dedicated to the budget discussions, the introduction of a mechanism in the project to pay the arrears of the Capital City Hall from the money of local communities from all over the country. The prime minister asked for the amendment to be removed, following criticism from the party leaders, informs News.ro.
According to some sources, during the coalition meeting, PSD, USR and UDMR representatives raised the issue of secretly introducing in the budget a mechanism to pay the arrears of the Capital City Hall to its own suppliers and to municipal companies, such as Termoenergetica and STB, from the money of local communities from all over the country.
During the discussions, USR leader Dominic Fritz emphasized that he does not agree to pay all the debts of mayors who do not know how to manage their own budget.
“You cannot take the budget hostage”
The president of PSD, Sorin Grindeanu, recalled that Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, last year, was the first to oppose such a mechanism, saying that he does not pay taxes, and now he agrees. Grindeanu showed that something unitary and fair is needed for all the localities with problems in Romania, not something dedicated to the Capital.
“You cannot take Romania's budget hostage in order to solve the problem of Mr. Ciucu from the Capital”, said the PSD leader in the meeting.
Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan proposed removing the amendment from the budget. The mayor of the capital, Ciprian Ciucu, told the leaders of the coalition that Bucharest will become insolvent.
The leader of UDMR, Kelemen Hunor replied that it is his job, as mayor, to find solutions so that this does not happen.
Liberal sources stated on Monday that the final form of the budget project, which was discussed by the prime minister and the Minister of Finance with the liberals from the parliamentary budget-finance and administration committees, is focused on supporting investments, but which also aims to avoid insolvency of the Capital City Hall.
The liberals pointed out that the draft budget also includes the sums necessary to avoid the insolvency of Bucharest City Hall, a provision that will be doubled by the commitment of the current administration to make major reforms.
