Unpopular Measures
The administrative reform was high on the agenda of the meeting Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan recently had with the mayors of some Romanian cities
Mihai Pelin, 04.02.2026, 13:55
In Bucharest Romania’s Prime Minister, Ilie Bolojan, has recently met a delegation of mayors from various cities for talks over the state budget in 2026. The talks unfolded against the discontent caused by the reform in the country’s administration system, which entails a series of major expenditure cuts.
Talks also focused on funding the PNRR projects on those in the Anghel Saligy national programme on modernizing the local communities and briefed the Prime Minister on the administrative issues they are presently facing.
The mayors hope that besides the new taxes and duties, significantly increased as of January 1st, the local budget keep the income revenues as well as a considerable part of the VAT. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan has given assurances the administration reform draft is in an advanced state of promotion at government level and will provide the necessary tools for increasing the local authorities’ effectiveness. The reform has also been requested by the mayors who say the law under which administration has been functioning since 1968 no longer corresponds to the present realities.
However, the ruling UDMR believes the Executive can reconsider its decision by cutting them 50%. In a televised interview, the party’s president, Kelemen Hunor said this would be a proof of political maturity from the Executive not a weakness. He said he talked the issue with the Prime Minister, but the latter called for a timeout to assess the option with the Finance Minister.
Kelemen Hunor: “Every citizen is facing very big pressure. Last year they witnessed a series of price hikes, inflation went up to roughly 10%, purchasing power dropped and these raised taxes proved to be the last straw. We asked for the following: between the lower limit and the upper limit, the mayors may have the possibility, until the budget is approved, to reconsider their decision and apply a cut up to 50%. And I believe a government can reconsider its decision as this is not a sign of weakness but of maturity because you cannot rule against the people, you know. “
The UDMR leader’s request also comes against the protests staged last week at Miercurea Ciuc and Odorheiu Secuiesc, central Romania against rising taxes and the elimination of some fiscal facilities. The ruling coalition, PSD, PNL, UDMR and USR, hasn’t reached an agreement on endorsing the administration reform and hasn’t decided yet on the form of the new law: by assuming responsibility in Parliament or through emergency ordinance. The PSD is supporting reform in the administration only if it is backed by the measures of economic relaunch it had proposed last year.
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