Ilie Bolojan: In the absence of efficiency measures, the number of communes will be reduced

Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan told the mayors present in Bucharest, at the debate on the administrative reform, that the coming period will bring budgetary constraints and difficult decisions amid the excessive deficit that the Executive has committed to correct.

"In the absence of efficiency measures, in two years the number of communes will be reduced" is the clear message of the Prime Minister. The dissatisfaction expressed by the mayors was also accompanied by criticism from the PSD president, Sorin Grindeanu, who declared that more respect and support for local elected officials is needed. He argued that all the money from local taxes and fees should remain in the communities to be used for investments.

Petruta Obrejan followed the discussions and reports: "The correct spending of public money, stopping waste and integrity in public office must be mandatory, regardless of political affiliation - the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Sorin Grindeanu, conveyed on Tuesday to the mayors of the communes present at the debate, telling them at the same time that the collected taxes and duties must remain with the communes, for the completion of ongoing programs and projects.

Sorin Grindeanu: No one will touch the funds intended for the communes. And, from the discussions we had with the governing partners, our point of view was understood. Freezing investments would be an act of economic and social sabotage that we cannot afford. That is precisely why investments must continue, so that jobs are not lost.

The years 2025 and 2026 are decisive years for local public administration, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan also conveyed to the mayors present, telling them that the city halls can be more efficient and that there is a need to limit spending.

Ilie Bolojan: We have two possibilities to prove to all of us that in the current structures we can be more efficient and can operate with lower spending, or if we do not succeed in this, I am telling you here, esteemed colleagues, that it is only a matter of time, by 2028, by the next elections, until we will reach in one form or another a reform of the administration, which will mean reducing the number of communes, mergers and so on. So, either we work together to make the administration efficient within the current framework, or it is only a matter of time until we get there.

The mayors of the communes have repeatedly criticized the measures to reform the local public administration, saying, among other things, that local development cannot be done with limited funds, and asked political leaders to be united and balanced in their decisions.”

Translated by: Radu Matei