Designated Prime Minister Luca Niculescu announces that the future governance program will include measures to increase the incomes of pensioners, especially those with low pensions, and resume discussions for the adoption of a new unified salary law. Niculescu also promises measures to boost the economy and protect purchasing power, but emphasizes that these must take into account the country’s budget situation.
The announcement was made on Saturday evening in a post on Facebook. The designated Prime Minister is currently seeking the support of parliamentary parties to form a new government.
According to the schedule transmitted on Sunday by the team of the designated Prime Minister, Luca Niculescu will have the following meetings on Monday:
- 12:00 – with representatives of USR
- 14:00 – with the parliamentary group of national minorities
- 16:00 – with representatives of PACE – First Romania
- 17:00 – with representatives of United for Romania
Priority for Pensioners with Low Incomes
“We are working intensively on finalizing the governance program, and the package of measures will be aimed at economic recovery, protecting purchasing power, and supporting those who have been most affected by price increases and fiscal-budget adjustments,” transmitted Luca Niculescu.
The designated Prime Minister states that one of the priorities is to find solutions to increase the incomes of pensioners with low pensions, a category heavily affected by inflation.
“Regarding pensions, we aim to find solutions to increase incomes, with a priority for pensioners with low pensions, who feel the strongest effects of inflation and the cost of living. We want the fiscal consolidation effort to be accompanied by measures of solidarity and support for those in greatest need,” wrote Luca Niculescu.
He does not specify yet what increases could be granted, what the income threshold for beneficiaries would be, or when any measures would come into effect.
A New Unified Salary Law
The designated Prime Minister announces the intention to resume discussions on salaries in the public sector. “Regarding salaries, we will resume discussions for the adoption of the new unified salary law, in order to build a fairer and more predictable system, with an implementation schedule adapted to budgetary possibilities,” Niculescu added.
Therefore, he does not set a deadline for the adoption of the law or for the implementation of any salary changes.
Instead, he emphasizes that social measures must be correlated with reducing the budget deficit and maintaining financial stability. “All these measures will be built through transparent dialogue with trade unions, employers, and political partners, taking into account both the need to protect the incomes of Romanians and the responsibility to continue reducing the deficit and ensuring the country's financial stability,” Niculescu further wrote on Facebook.
Negotiations for the New Government Continue on Monday
The announcement comes amidst ongoing consultations to form the future Executive.
Luca Niculescu has scheduled a meeting on Monday, October 12, at 12:00, with representatives of USR, at the party's headquarters. At 14:00, the designated Prime Minister will meet with the Parliamentary Group of National Minorities at the Palace of Parliament. At 16:00, the designated Prime Minister will meet with the leaders of PACE Group - First Romania at the Senate.
Discussions continue after consultations on Thursday, October 8, with PSD, PNL, and UDMR, which revealed significant differences between the parties' positions.
PSD rejected the idea of a technocratic government and set two conditions for supporting the future Executive: changing the economic direction and forming an assumed parliamentary majority, especially by PNL and UDMR.
PNL announced that it will not participate in the government alongside PSD but is open to granting a vote of confidence to the new Executive. The final decision is expected to be made next week.
UDMR stated its willingness to vote for the Niculescu government's investiture, even if it will not be part of it, emphasizing that the decision depends on the governance program.
At the end of the first round of consultations, Luca Niculescu expressed optimism and highlighted that all three parties agree on the need to respect Romania's fiscal-economic commitments.
The designated Prime Minister aims to present the governance program and the list of ministers on Thursday, October 15. Until then, he needs to clarify both the composition of the future Executive and the parliamentary support it can rely on.