The Minister of Finance, Tanczos Barna, announced that he will no longer hold this portfolio in the future government.
According to him, it is not yet known who will represent Romania at the meeting of EU Finance Ministers (ECOFIN), but that person will present the package of measures prepared by the new coalition.
"We still don't know who will go to ECOFIN. One thing is certain: Romania will be represented by a person who, on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, will go there with the package of measures prepared by the new coalition. Our country will be represented at ECOFIN with a set of measures. It doesn't matter the person, what matters is the package and the measures proposed by the new coalition.
Certainly, by Friday, the person representing Romania at ECOFIN will have these measures assumed by the coalition. I will not go to ECOFIN, because I will not be the Minister of Finance. Today this is certain," said the Deputy Prime Minister in a statement to the press at the Victoria Palace, according to Agerpres.
He mentioned that over the past two weeks, the Ministry of Finance has put forward a series of proposals regarding tax changes and spending reductions. The package of measures, assumed by the coalition, will be presented at ECOFIN.
"The package is designed, constructed, and discussed with the Commission. The day before yesterday, we had a fairly long discussion with Commission representatives. Yesterday, colleagues from the ministry discussed the package that is being prepared and will be presented at ECOFIN. The coalition will have to look at this package, take ownership of it. (...)
Over the past two weeks, we have put all the options on the table, all alternatives for tax changes, tax increases, spending reductions, solutions that have been proposed, including by the Commission. Today, they are on the coalition's table, and from this set of possible measures, it will take shape. Today, at the latest tomorrow morning, the package will be ready," he added.
By the end of June, Romania must send the European Commission the measures it will take to adjust the budget deficit this year, in order to meet the 2025 deficit target of 7% of GDP.
Subsequently, if the EC considers the necessary measures to return the deficit to the initial margin, the Commission can send them to EcoFin (the Economic and Financial Affairs Council) at the meeting on July 8, where it can be noted that Romania has timely taken the necessary measures to reduce the budget deficit.
Tanczos Barna stated that UDMR is participating in negotiations for the formation of the future government, but this does not guarantee its presence in the new Executive.
"Today we are at the negotiation table. I cannot predict the future. Today we are at the negotiation table," he emphasized.
The UDMR President stated Wednesday morning that the presence of Hungarians in the new government will be voted on within the party after the negotiations are completed.
"After yesterday's discussions, it is clear to me that the two, PNL and PSD, have the most important, powerful, approving ministries. USR secured itself with the four ministries above the percentage.
We got Development and Culture, but it remains to be seen if it will stay that way tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, and if, on the governance program and on the fiscal program, fiscal reforms, we will agree. At this moment, it means that we have no influence over major decisions, because it can work without us, and ultimately, it would be fair if you have no influence over major decisions, including on taxation, not to be just a decoration, because, okay, it looks good, but being a decoration is not very pleasant, as you also pay the price," Kelemen Hunor also said at RFI Romania.