Ciprian Şerban, former PSD Minister of Transport, on the scenario of closing TAROM: “I don't think this will happen”
Ciprian Șerban, the former PSD Minister of Transport, said on Monday, at the presentation of the balance sheet of the mandate, that he does not see it as possible to close the TAROM company, despite the public discussions in recent weeks. The social democrat specified that Romania has an agreement with the European Commission regarding the support given to the airline operator and that the 2026 budget includes another 65 million lei for the company.
The former Minister of Transport stated that the management of TAROM has a restructuring plan considered viable and that the state already granted state aid of 65 million lei last year.
“I don't think it's appropriate, when you have something that works in your country, to have to sell it“, said Şerban, emphasizing that the financial support provided for this year is part of the commitments assumed.
Asked directly if TAROM could be closed on April 30, Ciprian Şerban replied that he did not believe in this scenario:
“Let me believe that this will not happen.”
Parliament is speeding up the law that blocks the sale of assets of strategic companies
Tarom aircraft. PHOTO Shutterstock
In parallel, the Senate decided to urgently debate the draft law that prohibits the alienation of the assets of state companies considered strategic until the end of 2027, according to Agerpres.
Daniel Zamfir, the leader of the PSD senators, stated that the normative act could reach the plenary session next week. The exception would only apply to companies that have made losses for five consecutive years.
The TAROM trade unions accuse the Government of preparing the dissolution of the company
Recently, representatives of TAROM employees protested, accusing the Executive of intending to close the national operator. The leader of the TAROM United Trade Union, Narcis Pașcu, criticized the statements of Deputy Prime Minister Oana Gheorghiu regarding the need for recovery measures at state companies, including TAROM, and warned that the responsibility for any consequences would fall to the Government.
The trade unionists claim that the company's management tried to stabilize the situation, but the state did not provide the necessary support, also citing the fact that the TAROM budget has not yet been approved.
The government talks about the need for firm measures
In the middle of this month, Deputy Prime Minister Oana Gheorghiu stated that TAROM, along with CFR Călători and Metrorex, needs firm recovery measures, implemented with the support of specialists with experience in restructuring similar companies. She mentioned that, where necessary, the approval of the European Commission can be requested for the granting of state aid.
