Parliament: 2018 state budget bill, adopted

The 2018 state budget bill was adopted on Friday by Parliament plenary sitting of the two chambers. 

The state budget draft law was adopted by 255 votes to 95. 

On Friday too was passed the state social security budget bill for 2018, 255 v 90. 

The 2018 state budget law is built on a 5.5pct economic growth, a 3.1pct average annual inflation, a 4.55 lei/euro exchange rate and a 2,614 lei (rd EUR 574) monthly average net salary. 

"The budget deficit (cash) is estimated at 2.97pct of the GDP, while the ESA deficit is to see 2.96pct of the GDP, in compliance with a below 3pct of the GDP in the budget deficit target, according to the Maastricht Treaty," the gov't specified after the 2018 state budget, that was sent to the Parliament's debate and vote on 6 December, was passed. 

The budget foresees estimated revenues worth RON 287.5 billion, up by RON 30.9 billion as compared to 2017, being a first when the GDP of Romania will exceed the EUR 200 billion level. 

"Out of the RON 30.9 billion in additional revenues, EUR 21.1 billion will go to the Health care budget, that will see a 17pct increase against 2017; the Education budget will have a 16pct growth, while the investments will receive by 42pct more," the gov't said at the moment the 2018 state budget bill was adopted. 

Moreover, the state budget draft law includes the necessary resources to granting the holiday tickets to the public sector's employees, the increase by 9pct of the national minimum and the average net wage in the entire economy (public and private sector), the growth by 10pct as of 1 July of the pensions and of the minimum pension by 23pct.