Citu: If all goes well, we should have an approved budget by December 23

The National Liberal Party (PNL) Chairman Florin Citu declared on Monday that in the meeting of the governing coalition the state budget for 2022 was discussed, specifying that on Friday the ordinance on fiscal-budgetary measures should be adopted, and next week the law on cappings, agerpres reports.

"The budget has been discussed. I understand that Friday there will be the ordinance for fiscal-budgetary measures, after that it will be the law of the cappings next week and, if all goes well, we should have a budget approved by December 23," Citu said at the Palace of the Parliament.

He reiterated that the budget deficit assumed is 5.84 on cash and 6.2-6.3 on ESA.

Asked whether investment would remain at 7% of GDP, he replied: "That's the way it should be. Let's see the final shape of the budget."

In terms of resources for the 1,200 lei that would be given to those with pensions of less than 1,600 lei in January, he stressed that what was discussed would not be repeated.

"What was discussed in the government program is not being discussed again. The money comes from the budget as everywhere. (...) The source of funding is always the state budget, there is no special source for pensions," said Florin Citu.

He pointed out that the 1,200 lei aid for pensioners will be granted on the basis of a formula.

"It is a formula. The Ministry of Labor will come and explain it to you. We will have a discussion tomorrow as well," the PNL leader said.

According to him, the COVID green certificate was not discussed at the coalition meeting.