Government spending

The deficit of the consolidated general budget for this year rises to 6.7pct of GDP at the first budget adjustment this year, given that the measures adopted to stimulate the economy represent 3pct of GDP, announced on Wednesday Finance Minister Florin Citu in a statement at the Victoria Palace. According to him, the cash deficit increases by 31.9 billion lei.

In a article co-authored by German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas the two ministers table a number of ideas on how the EU can get by through and after the coronavirus pandemic and grapple with its enormous social and economic repercussions in a spirit of solidarity that is needed to keep the Union together.

Prime Minister Ludovic Orban said on Thursday that over 30% of the Romanian economy is affected by the novel coronavirus epidemic, noting that he is not favouring austerity measures or price freeze. "Given that a large part of the economy has been affected by the epidemic, it is clear that economic growth will be affected.

European Union finance ministers formally endorsed on Monday the suspension of EU limits on governments borrowing to give the 27 EU countries a free hand in fighting the disastrous effects of the coronavirus epidemic on the economy.

In order to have lower interests, Romania must sort out the deficit issue, Finance Minister Florin Citu said on Thursday; he also stated that this year the budget deficit stays at 3.6 percent of GDP and will fall below the 3 percent threshold in 2022. "Mr. central bank governor Mugur Isarescu is largely right: in Romania, the issue is not directly the interests, but the deficits.

Romania will fall under the excessive deficit procedure, something that cannot be avoided and the earliest it can happen is in March, Minister-designate of Public Finance Florin Citu told Monday evening private TV broadcaster Realitatea Plus. "The talks are ongoing with the European Commission. (...) And, yes, Romania will enter the excessive deficit procedure.

International borrowing is proof of responsibility, but the country's deficits are worrisome, the governor of the National Bank of Romania (BNR), Mugur Isarescu told a press conference, when asked about the latest loans contracted by the Ministry of Public Finance. "Worrisome, an element of concern or as you might want to call it, not of panic, however, are the country's deficits.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has praised the Greek government's reform drive while defending Berlin's austerity prescription during the years of economic crisis.

Prime Minister Ludovic Orban said on Thursday that he understands the concerns expressed by the Fiscal Council regarding the possible increase of the budget deficit, but assured that "there is no risk" for this to happen in 2020.

Bucharest City Mayor Gabriela Firea claims the Orban government would have granted tax incentives "only to certain privately-owned companies, not to the whole business environment," as only chosen business people were elected for that.