Bolojan's response, asked if he discussed with Ursula von der Leyen the social package that divided the governing coalition

Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan denied on Thursday evening that he had discussed with the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the solidarity package requested by the PSD for inclusion in the draft budget for 2026, which created new premises for the breakup of the governing coalition.

“During the discussions with Mrs. Ursula von der Leyen, we did not discuss the solidarity package. I explained to you, the solidarity package was not discussed during the discussion with Mrs. Ursula von der Leyen. (…) I told you, the European Social Fund was discussed with Mrs. Vice-President, with Mrs. Commissioner (Roxana) Mînzatu and I explained once again that on the component of vouchers for pensioners, where Romania reached a share of 17% of our program, there can be no more increases. That's right, the proof of the fact – that the entire amount is caught in the budget”, was the answer of Ilie Bolojan to the question of HotNews, in the press conference at the Victoria Palace, organized after the adoption of the state budget law for the year 2026.

“There is this availability for other programs, on other services, for other categories that can benefit from social services, with the obvious condition that the two responsible ministries come up with proposals, see what the conditions are and adapt to these conditions,” added the head of government, who did not want to make any further clarifications in relation to this subject.

Two ministers are arguing over the social package

The governing coalition is divided, after the PSD requested 3.4 billion lei for a package of social measures, which includes financial aid for low-income retirees, and the Minister of Finance, Alexandru Nazare (appointed at the PNL's proposal), said he could only offer half of the amount, 1.7 billion lei.

Nazare stated on Monday that part of the 3.4 billion lei requested by the PSD for the solidarity package can be secured from European funds.

“We held these discussions in advance, starting almost a month ago. The Minister of Labor is informed, the Minister of Funds is informed, discussions and analyzes took place. I believe that there is the possibility of co-financing these projects from European funds”, said the Minister of Finance.

Asked by HotNews if the Minister of European Funds also believes that this money can be secured from European funds, Nazare said: “I don't want to… I think the two ministers can explain it to you better.” “All I can tell you is that we made all the efforts we could make, in our capacity as an integrator, at the Ministry of Finance, to secure these amounts, because we are aware that, indeed, there must be resources for the area of ​​vulnerable people, but it is equally important to keep the responsibility part of this budget and to keep in mind that we must keep certain limits”, stated the Minister of Finance.

Two days later, the Labor Minister, Florin Manole (PSD), contradicted him. He told Parliament in a press conference on Wednesday that ideas according to which part of the money for the solidarity package could be covered by European funds were only “speculations”.

“I want to insist on this subject as well, that there are all kinds of speculations about the possible probability of financing, at least partially, this solidarity package from European funds. Unfortunately, such a thing is not possible. As far as I know, the Prime Minister was also told this during his visit to the European Commission,” said Florin Manole.

HotNews told Minister Florin Manole that the Minister of Finance had declared just two days ago that from his point of view there is the possibility of covering this amount from European funds and that there are discussions between the ministry led by him and that of European Funds. “Are you actually telling us now that these talks don't exist?” HotNews asked for clarification.

“I didn't say anything like that. There were discussions, and their result also condemned the European Commission, saying that these measures cannot be financed from European funds, because we are talking about increasing the population's income, not about services. Services are important, some are financed from European funds, but they are something else”, added Florin Manole.

Asked when the concrete answer came from the European Commission, Florin Manole said that from his information “the prime minister found out, but he may have known beforehand, but he was certainly told by the European Commission”.

Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan had a meeting with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on February 26, in Brussels.