Theodor Stolojan claims that reducing fuel excise would be a mistake. “We can't give to everyone, we can't”
The former prime minister Theodor Stolojan stated, at Digi24, that a reduction in fuel excise would be a wrong decision in Romania's current conditions. He mentioned the need to reduce the budget deficit and the fact that the future evolution of the situation that led to the increase in the price of oil is unpredictable.
“We are currently in a situation where it was good not to have a deficit of 7% or 6%, but of 3%. Let us now have the opportunity to be flexible in granting aid. Unfortunately, we are obliged to further reduce the budget deficit”, said Theodor Stolojan.
He noted that there have been previous oil price shocks caused by political events, and these have shown that fiscal policy changes cannot be decided quickly.
“Those who immediately rush to reduce taxes are very wrong. Why? We don't know what it is about, how long this phenomenon lasts, if it is an increase in the prices of crude oil, natural gas, which becomes a new reality. And then all the other prices begin to align with this new reality, including the price of labor,” said the former prime minister.
Costs of delayed projects
He drew attention to the fact that Romania is now in a difficult situation, including because it did not put into use the energy capacities on the originally expected terms, such as the Iernut plant.
“We're discussing Iernut, it's incredible, we started it in 2016, we're in 2026 and we're still fumbling. A strategic mistake – we launched solar panels, which was very good, but at the same time we had to have the energy storage capacity with the same intensity,” added Theodor Stolojan.
Regarding the reduction of excise duty on fuels, the liberal showed that it should be done only for certain sectors, not for the entire population, given that some Romanians have quite high incomes.
“It is very easy to rush to lower the excise tax for the whole country. Not the whole country has the same sufferings as a result of the increase in energy prices. There are people who have possibilities (…) Transporters are one of the groups that have already received help. It is also being prepared for farmers. Currently, it is not possible to give to everyone, we cannot”, concluded Stolojan.
