Designated Prime Minister Siegfried Mureșan announced on Wednesday that the investiture vote for the future government will take place at the beginning of next week. The Cabinet will have three deputy prime ministers, all with portfolios, and the government program will include merging some institutions and efficiency plans for each state-owned company.
Mureșan promised that there will be no tax increases throughout the duration of the future government’s mandate.
He also stated that he will not try to obtain the support of PSD parliamentarians through individual negotiations, but will only discuss with the party leader, Sorin Grindeanu, and the social-democratic leadership.
"Next week we will have the investiture vote regarding the government that I will propose, the government program, and the team of ministers," stated Siegfried Mureșan.
The designated Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with the national minorities group during the day.
A discussion with Sorin Grindeanu is expected to take place in the next few hours.
Will not negotiate separately with PSD parliamentarians
Mureșan emphasized that the dialogue with the social democrats will be official and institutional. "The only dialogue I will have with the Social Democratic Party is the official dialogue with the party president and the PSD leadership. I will not seek to have individual dialogue with other members with the aim of splitting votes from PSD, because what you don't like, don't do to others," said the designated Prime Minister.
He explained that even liberals did not like it when other political actors tried to create divisions within the party. "I will treat PSD institutionally and fairly, and Mr. Grindeanu and I will discuss as two parliamentarians that we are," added Mureșan.
The designated Prime Minister presented the future vote as "a test of truth" for the social democrats. "PSD will have to choose: support a pro-European government, with a good agenda for modernizing and reforming Romania, or collaborate with anti-European, populist, extremist parties in the Romanian Parliament," he stated.
Three deputy prime ministers, all with portfolios
The future Cabinet will have three deputy prime ministers, each of whom will also lead a ministry. "The government I will propose will have only three deputy prime ministers, all with portfolios. Deputy prime ministers who will work, have clear responsibilities, and ministries to lead," announced Mureșan.
Mureșan also promised to reduce central administration expenses, including by merging some institutions.
Stock listings and privatizations
The designated Prime Minister announced that each state-owned company will have, within a maximum of 12 months from the Government's inauguration, an efficiency plan. "State-owned companies must provide efficient services for the people, not be a source of loss for the state budget," he declared.
Mureșan argues that some companies could be listed on the stock exchange or privatized, depending on their situation. "We will list them on the stock exchange if that is appropriate, we will privatize them if that is appropriate. All will have efficient management," said the designated Prime Minister.
Special attention is expected to be given to energy companies, with the aim of reducing bills paid by the population and firms. The program will include investments in energy storage capacities, infrastructure, and interconnection.
Promises not to increase taxes
Mureșan announced that the future government will maintain the flat tax rate and will not increase taxes and levies. "We will, of course, maintain the flat rate, and regarding taxation, I want to say very clearly: there will be no tax increases or tax hikes in Romania throughout the duration of the government's mandate that we propose," he stated.
The designated Prime Minister promised that any permanent expenditure will have a clear source of funding, and public investments will be audited.
Government starts with 171 votes
Mureșan met with PNL and USR parliamentarians on Tuesday, and with UDMR ones on Wednesday morning. All three formations confirmed their support for his nomination. Together, PNL, USR, and UDMR can provide him with 171 votes, so the designated Prime Minister still needs 62 more to reach the required 233 for investiture.
UDMR has decided to support the Cabinet proposed by Mureșan. "We have reached the conclusion that we are going and assuming this vote," said Kelemen Hunor.
PSD has decided not to vote for a government led by Siegfried Mureșan, and Sorin Grindeanu asked the designated Prime Minister to resign if he fails to build a majority. AUR also announced that they will not vote for the future government, but there are dozens of "free electrons" in Parliament who could be convinced to vote.