Lawmakers of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) on Monday submitted a series of amendments to the 2026 state budget law, proposing the identification of additional budget revenues and their allocation to social measures.
"We have identified two sources of additional revenue for the state budget totalling 2.3 billion lei, which we believe the Ministry of Finance has overlooked in an absolutely unjustified manner," PSD said.
The first source indicated by the Social Democrats is the recovery of part of the budget arrears stemming from social insurance contributions.
"The total outstanding social contributions owed by economic operators amount to 3.7 billion lei. We believe a recovery target of 1.3 billion lei is absolutely mandatory, because these arrears to the budget represent money withheld from employees' salaries for social insurance contributions but not transferred to the state," they said.
The second source mentioned is the collection of an additional 1 billion lei from VAT, in the context of rising fuel prices, which would lead to higher revenues collected on the fuel market, one of the most important sectors of the economy.
"Out of the 2.3 billion lei, we are submitting amendments to complete the full financing of the entire Solidarity Package (required - 1.1 billion lei) and to compensate for the loss of revenue following the removal of the health insurance contribution (CASS) for mothers, war veterans and detainees (required - around 500 million lei), with the remaining funds staying at the disposal of the Ministry of Finance to be reallocated within the budget depending on needs," PSD also said.
The removal of the health insurance contribution for war veterans and war widows represents "an act of gratitude for the sacrifice made for the country", while in the case of former political prisoners the elimination of this tax "represents a moral reparation for the suffering endured during the communist dictatorship".
"The exemption from contributions for persons with disabilities has a deeply humanitarian dimension, as they face major limitations and difficulties on a daily basis. At the same time, by supporting monastic personnel, the state sends a sign of respect for the vocation and austerity of a life dedicated to moral and spiritual values. Therefore, adopting this amendment is not merely a fiscal adjustment but a gesture of social justice and solidarity. When the costs to the budget are low but the moral and social benefit is considerable, such a measure becomes not only appropriate but necessary. Romania has a duty to show its gratitude to war veterans and war widows, former political prisoners, persons with disabilities and monastic personnel by granting them concrete support that ensures the dignity and respect they deserve," PSD said in the reasoning behind the amendments.
The Social Democrats also proposed eliminating the health insurance contribution for people on parental leave.
"This exemption is not a privilege but a natural form of support for mothers going through a period of economic vulnerability. Their incomes are already reduced during parental leave, while the costs of raising and caring for children - especially in cases where they require special therapies or medical treatment - are considerable," they said.
At the same time, PSD proposes increasing the budget of the Ministry of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity by 1.1 billion lei in order to finance support measures aimed at vulnerable categories.
"The proposal envisages allocating 1.1 billion lei in commitment and budgetary appropriations to increase the budget of the Ministry of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity, in order to finance support measures for low-income families with children, families caring for children with disabilities, and financial aid for around 2.8 million pensioners in the public pension system, estimated at about 2.35 billion lei in 2026. For 2026, implementing support measures for vulnerable groups - including assistance for low-income families with children and for families caring for children with disabilities (estimated at around 300 million lei), as well as financial aid for approximately 2.8 million public pensioners (estimated at around 2.35 billion lei) - requires a total estimated funding of about 2.65 billion lei.," PSD said.
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