The draft budget for next year will be approved by the Government this week

The draft budget for next year will be approved during this week by the Government and will be sent for debate.

Parliament is expected to give a final vote by Christmas, as agreed by the governing partners.

The leaders of the coalition have had several discussions regarding the allocations in recent days, and today concrete data from the text of the document were presented.

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu stated that the focus will be on investments and larger amounts will be allocated for several institutions.

Marcel Ciolacu: We are going for a percentage of 7.3% on investments. It is the largest investment budget in Romania's history. We have a historic budget for Education, of 4.1%, so a 60% increase in the education budget. We also have an increase at the Ministry of Health, almost 26%. At the Ministry of Transport - 30%. There is also an increase at the Health Center.

The prime minister specified that the salaries of budget workers will increase next year by five percent, with the exception of dignitaries, and that they will continue discussions with teachers regarding salary increases.

The government proposes two increases, one from January, with 13 percent, and another from August, with 7%.

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu assured that the amounts for pension increases are provided in the budget for next year.

To support these expenses, the Government is relying on a two percent increase in budget revenues and is also considering a series of measures to increase collection and reduce tax evasion, including by tightening the penalties for tax evaders.

As the PNL leader, Nicolae Ciuca, stated today, more efficient management of expenses with goods and services in state institutions can ensure additional funds.

He gave as an example the ordinance adopted at the end of this year, through the application of which expenses were greatly reduced in November compared to the similar period in 2022.

Translated by: Radu Matei