Criticism of the government after one year in power

The opposition presented critical reports on the government's activity over the past year

Roxana Vasile, 25.11.2022, 13:50

One year since the cabinet headed by the Liberal Nicolae Ciucă took power in Bucharest, the opposition released critical reports on the governments work. A huge inflation rate, the lack of interest in reducing expenditure in ministries and keeping special pensions in place for elected officials are listed in a “Black Book of the Government” presented by the president of Save Romania Union (USR) Cătălin Drulă:

Cătălin Drulă: “One year with the Social Democrats and Liberals in power meant record-high price rises, plagiarism and failed projects. And this government could not have been otherwise. For the members of this cabinet, the state secretaries and their junior staff, the only concern is with feeding their huge party clientele. And during this time, Romanians have seen the most severe price rises of the past 19 years. We have the highest inflation rate since 2003. Banking loan interests have gone up nearly four times this year.ʺ

In turn, AUR party came up with its own critical document against the Social Democratic Party, the National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania. AUR accuses the government of incompetence and unwillingness to take measures able to help the people and the economy. AUR president George Simion:

George Simion: ʺTackling the energy issue was delayed, what we, the parliamentary opposition requested, namely the energy mix and the market regulation, which should have been done as far back as last year, has not been done. The much-praised pension increase is a sham: instead of increasing pensions by a fixed amount, say RON 1,250 for all pensions, so as to reach a somewhat reasonable level, they chose the 12.5% option, which doesnt even cover the inflation rate.ʺ

The Social Democrats were no late in replying, at least to USR, which was in power together with the Liberals for about a year. According to the Social Democratic Party, with the USR in power Romania was stuck and went from one crisis to the next, whereas now Romania has met all the EUs justice-related standards, is seeing the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism lifted and is on the verge of its Schengen accession.

The current government, comprising the Social Democratic Party, the National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania came to power on November 25, 2021, with substantial parliamentary support. According to an agreement between the main coalition members, the Liberals appointed the prime minister for the next one and a half years, in the person of Nicolae Ciucă. When this term ends, on May 25, 2023, the PM office will be taken over by the Social Democrats. (AMP)