Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu facing Parliament
Romanian Prime Minister, Sorin Grindeanu, on Monday for the first time participated in the so-called “Prime Minister Hours in Parliament.
Ştefan Stoica, 14.03.2017, 13:31
The Liberal opposition in Romania’s Parliament has demanded Social-Democrat Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu explanations regarding two emergency ordinances allocating 6.5 billion Euros worth of public development funds to local officials, having no ceiling of spending and sanctions. In the view of the National Liberal Party (PNL), the ordinances are an abuse, making local officials dependent on the signature of the Minister for Regional Development. Here is Liberal president Raluca Turcan:
“What else is Ordinance nr. 9 stipulating a one-year suspension of highly important articles of the Public Finance Law, articles checking abusive, uncontrolled spending, but an invitation to plunder? In the vision of the Grindeanu government, Parliament should no longer know the way in which commitment appropriations are granted and used. The Government is putting 6.5 billion euros into the pockets of a few leaders of the majority coalition made up of the Social-Democratic Party and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, by means of a procedure cloaked in utmost secrecy”.
The Liberals’ viewpoint was also backed by the MPs of the Save Romania Union. Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu replied that the 6.5 billion euros were the outcome of the mayors’ project proposals, Liberal mayors included. The Romanian Prime Minister pointed out that over 60% of rural households had no indoor sanitation and the access to education and healthcare in the countryside was faulty. Sorin Grindeanu called on the parliamentary groups, irrespective of their political affiliation, to support the projects aimed at modernizing Romania. Sorin Grindeanu:
“We are duty-bound to ensure all citizens’ access to a minimum package of community services. Over 9,500 investment projects will be funded under this programme in the next four years, be they plumbing, sewage, roads, public lighting or school and health infrastructure. Let’s make it clear: if somebody uses the investment money for other purposes, then, that person will be held accountable before the law. During this period, I have had the opportunity of meeting a lot of mayors; one thing is sure: they are weary of coming to Bucharest looking for funding for their projects.”
Varunjan Vosganian, a deputy with the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, recalled that according to a World Bank report, 33 billion euros would be needed to ensure a minimum package of rural facilities. The two ordinances have already been passed by the Senate and will be submitted to the Chamber of Deputies, which holds decision-making power in this case. (Translated by A.M. Palcu)
