Sorin Grindeanu does not give up on the amendments to the budget: “I can no longer maintain an attitude of permanent defiance of the PSD”

Following the meeting of the PSD National Political Council, the leader of the social democrats Sorin Grindeanu sent a letter to Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan in which he informs him that his party will not give up the amendments to the 2026 budget by which the proposed solidarity package will receive full funding from the state budget. Previously, the PNL had warned the social democrats not to initiate amendments that would destabilize the state's finances and that would be adopted through “negotiations behind the scenes”.

In the letter sent to Bolojan, Sorin Grindeanu states that the PSD will vote in favor of adopting the state budget for 2026, but will submit the amendments to ensure social protection measures for disadvantaged categories, measures previously supported by the social democrats.

“We will submit amendments in Parliament to ensure the full financing of the Solidarity Package, i.e. the support for 3.5 million families – pensioners with low incomes, disabled children, mothers or veterans, who suffer the most from the austerity measures of the last year”, Grindeanu announced, adding that this is the “firm” mandate received from the party leadership.

“The deliberate impoverishment of millions of Romanians”

The social democrat blames Bolojan for taking measures that favored multinational companies, at the expense of ordinary Romanians.

“I can no longer witness the deliberate impoverishment of millions of Romanians and I can no longer maintain an attitude of permanent defiance towards the PSD, the party that ensures the stability of the Coalition with a 46% share of the current government,” the PSD president claims.

The prime minister is accused of having reduced consumption and the purchasing power of salaries and pensions through the taxes imposed, Grindeanu enumerating a series of mistakes that the head of government would have made.

Further stating that the PSD will refuse to participate in the “bankruptcy of Romania”, Grindeanu says that the PSD will support the adoption of the following measures:

•⁠“The amendment in Parliament of the Solidarity Package, a real support for 3 million beneficiaries, including the increase in allowances for children with disabilities and support for single-parent families, with a minor budget impact of only 0.16% of GDP.
•⁠ ⁠Inclusion of these measures in the State Budget for 2026, a budget that must be based on massive investments and real support for vulnerable categories.”

Sources from the party stated that only after the budget is adopted, the meeting will take place in which Sorin Grindeanu will consult the party regarding the form in which the PSD will continue to be part of the coalition, in the event that the social democrats do not decide to leave the government altogether.

The ignored warning of the liberals

Shortly after the PSD leaders met, the PNL warned the social democrats, through a press release, not to support budget amendments that would involve an increase in spending without first being discussed in the coalition.

Liberals recall the constraints related to the reduction of the budget deficit and claim that the 6.2% target will make Romania credible in front of creditors and European partners.

“Given that we are experiencing major disruptions in the fuel and financial markets as a result of the conflict in the Middle East, which can lead to increased inflation and reduced economic growth, prudence and responsibility should guide us all”, is another argument invoked by the PNL.

The Liberals also mention Article 19 of the coalition's political agreement which stipulates that “no initiative or vote involving increases in budget spending can take place without the prior approval of the Coalition leadership.”

“PNL draws attention to the fact that the amendments to the budget must be discussed within the Coalition and assumed by the Government supported by the parliamentary majority, not negotiated behind the scenes or imposed by surprise votes in Parliament”, the quoted source added.

Fear of a deal with AUR

The fears of the liberals were expressed already on Saturday by the leader of the PNL Iasi organization, Alexandru Muraru, who declared, on Antena 3, that PSD and AUR agreed to vote together, in committees and in plenary, on amendments to the budget project.

“We know from the discussions we have with colleagues from the PSD and with colleagues from all parties, that they made the strategy including for the budget-finance committee. You will see on Monday and Tuesday that the AUR and the PSD will vote together on these amendments and later, in plenary”, said PNL Iasi leader Alexandru Muraru.

He accused the PSD of “going into this conspiracy with this totally absurd and catastrophic idea for Romania that this budget belongs to the PSD, not Romania, which is a big mess”, Muraru adding that this game risks throwing Romania into a major crisis.