The budget of Bucharest is poorly structured both institutionally and structurally, new General Mayor of the Capital Ciprian Ciucu said, adding that there is a need for structural reforms and the gradual implementation of the referendum initiated by Nicusor Dan.
He presented a budget simulation for the upcoming year.
He mentioned that, based on his analysis of the development and operating expenditure structure within the Bucharest City Hall (PMB), approximately 8 billion lei is allocated to operational costs, while under 1 billion lei is directed towards development, whereas the districts receive "three times or more" for development.
He pointed out that at the PMB level, "subsidies consume the budget" due to structural underfunding.
As a conclusion, he highlighted that the outcome of the referendum initiated by former mayor Nicusor Dan must be implemented gradually.
The new general mayor stated that the PMB requires financial support both until the end of this year and throughout the beginning of next year, when the Budget Law will be drafted. In this regard, he announced that on Sunday he is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan and Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare to discuss these matters.
"But I can't just go and do nothing and ask for more money. So (...) in February, or at the latest in March, I will come up with programmes for efficiency and restructuring. I want to draw the attention of all company leaders, I want to draw the attention of the General Council members, I'm not afraid of the word 'insolvency,' some should be. If insolvency saves the budget, if insolvency saves a company that we need to ensure the continuity of services for Bucharest residents, we will get there. I hope it won't come to that. 2026 will be a year in which I will propose several structural reforms to the General Council (...) because there are still duplications between what the city's administrations are doing, what the municipal companies are doing and some ADIs [the Association for Intercommunity Development]. And out of three, one will remain, because we have no other choice," Ciucu pointed out.
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