Senator Nicolae Ciuca, proposed by the National Liberal Party (PNL) as prime minister, said on Friday that talks on the social chapter of the governing program had ended, as well as those on the political agreement and that negotiations had begun on ministries.
“We agreed on the social chapter. We concluded it. We agreed on the political agreement. It was concluded. It was drafted. We have to adjust some elements in the justice chapter and we started the negotiations on the ministries,” Ciuca said at the Parliament Palace.
He said there was no discussion for any of the parties to withdraw from the coalition and that negotiations would resume on Friday afternoon or Saturday.
“At this moment, each of us has agreed to take a break and we will continue the discussions of each party within, and this afternoon or tomorrow morning, depending on how we agree with the party leaders, we will resume negotiations. (…) Each ministry is very important and there is absolutely no discussion for any of the parties to leave the coalition. (…) There are negotiation techniques and each of the parties negotiates its objectives. (…) We do not want either to enter the governing coalition without the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR) and minorities. (…) Let us find solutions and we will unblock this situation,” Ciuca stated.
Minimum pension to increase from 800 to 1,000 lei
PNL’s nominee for prime minister, said on Friday that income increases have been agreed on the social chapter of the governing programme.
“The following elements have been established: the minimum pension will be increased from 800 to 1,000 lei, the pensions will increase by 10pct. Those who earn between 1,000 lei and 1,600 lei, will receive an aid of 1,200 lei in the beginning of next year, for one year only. Those who earn a pension higher than 4,000 lei will no longer be exempted from paying the CASS [health insurance contribution]. Moreover, the persons with disabilities will receive a 13th allowance. Children up to two years old will receive an allowance of 600 lei per month, and the child allowance will increase to 234 lei. Also, the minimum salary will increase to 2,550 lei. We agreed together with the other parties that this increase will be granted for 24 months,” said Ciuca, at the Parliament Palace.
He said that the impact of these measures will be about 13.6 billion lei.
“The total impact will reach about 13.6 billion [lei – editor’s note] and we will find solutions through collecting taxes and doubling royalties, plus the other fiscal measures and not only,” said Ciuca.
He specified that taxes will not be increased.
“There will be no luxury tax. Taxes will not be increased. We will remain on a flat tax and everyone has also been assured that we will allocate 7pct for investments,” Ciuca added, according to Agerpres.
