PSD Senator Criticizes Government’s Focus on deficit, Calls for Investment
BUCHAREST, Romania – Adrian Streinu-Cercel, president of the Health Committee in the Senate and a member of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), sharply criticized the current government led by Prime Minister Bolojan on Thursday, arguing it prioritizes addressing the budget deficit over crucial investments in Romania’s advancement. Streinu-Cercel also stated, “now there is no government,” alleging a policy of solely implementing cuts.
Speaking at the Profit Health.forum conference,as reported by News.ro, Streinu-Cercel dismissed concerns over the deficit, stating, ”My elbow hurts from the budget deficit! It’s total bullshit, right? It doesn’t matter.” He pointed to Romania’s history of paying off foreign debt, even holding a surplus in 1989, contrasting it with the debt relief received by other former socialist countries like Poland. He suggested reliance on international financial institutions like the World Bank and IMF represents a loss of control.
Representatives from health sector companies present at the forum countered that the deficit is consistently cited as the primary concern in discussions with the Ministries of Health and Finance.
Streinu-Cercel further argued that Romania should focus on internal development and investment, referencing the PSD’s previous government program focused on industrialization and re-industrialization. He lamented the program’s derailment following changes in leadership. “We have to make investments and develop Romania,” he stated.
The senator also criticized the government’s current austerity measures,asserting Romania possesses abundant natural resources that remain untapped. “When you have gold in the ground,when you have salt in the ground,when you have gas in the ground,you have everything and you do nothing,why do we complain?” he questioned.
This criticism follows similar statements from Sorin Grindeanu, who on Sunday, in an appearance on Antenna3, warned the Bolojan government against disregarding PSD’s proposals. Grindeanu indicated that ignoring PSD’s input could lead to “turbulence” within the governing coalition, citing the party’s parliamentary weight and the validity of its suggestions. He stated, “We expect the PSD proposals to be taken into account… At the moment it truly seems that they are being ignored.”
