Kelemen Hunor: There is no hole in the budget, but there are outstanding payments in Pensions, Health and Development

When asked on Euronews România whether the discussion about a budget shortfall was simply a rehashing of the "heavy inheritance" narrative, UDMR president Kelemen Hunor stated: "There is no hole in the budget. When PSD left government, they know what they left behind, and they received exactly what they left when they departed."

Kelemen Hunor recalled that this year's budget was voted on together with PSD. He argues that following the Social Democrats' departure from government and the dismissal of the Bolojan Cabinet, no new law or emergency ordinance generating additional expenditure had been adopted.

"Where would we spend more from?"

According to the UDMR leader, the Bolojan Government, dismissed by a vote of no confidence on 5 May, continued to function as a caretaker executive until the Niculescu Government was sworn in. During that period, no budget rectification could be carried out, no new legislation could be initiated, no emergency ordinances could be issued, and no new public policies could be launched. "So where was I supposed to spend more from? With respect," said Kelemen Hunor.

Nevertheless, the UDMR leader acknowledges that a backlog of unpaid obligations has accumulated, due to payments that could not be processed: at the Pension House, the Health Insurance House, the Ministries of Development and Transport, as well as in social assistance. "I'm not expecting anything extravagant, no large gaps," he clarified.

"I understand the narrative"

Kelemen Hunor believes the discussion about a budget shortfall serves a political purpose: "I understand the narrative. You need to find something. You need to justify it if you fail to deliver what you promised in this short period. But I genuinely do not think this is a discussion grounded in fact."

Parliamentary parties are awaiting Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare's presentation of the budget situation. The UDMR leader considers this request "entirely legitimate" and proposes that the Finance Minister report on budget execution before Parliament once every six months, in order to ensure "complete transparency."

He also drew attention to the risks of expenditure without budgetary coverage: "You cannot spend more than the budget allows." Otherwise, Kelemen Hunor explained, the state ends up taking out costly long-term loans, which "our children, some people's grandchildren" will ultimately have to repay.

Local councils without funds

The UDMR leader also rejected the idea that the forthcoming budget rectification would favour local councils led by PSD in exchange for parliamentary votes in support of the government. He did acknowledge, however, that some local councils have had their accounts frozen and risk being unable to pay their bills from November onwards, due to unpaid investments — for instance in gas networks.