Hungarian Minority Party Takes over Ministry in Romania with a Debt of One Billion Euros

The Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (RMDSZ) took over the Ministry of Development in Bucharest with debts of RON 6.3 billion (EUR 1.3 billion), and has therefore set a priority for the payment of the accumulated bills, Attila Cseke, who returned to the head of the ministry after a year and a half, announced.

According to the politician quoted in the RMDSZ statement, work on a number of projects under construction in Romania has been halted or slowed down because the ministry has not paid the contractors. “We have to be honest about the situation: the ministry was taken over with debts, but the bills will be paid. I believe in the need for development because it boosts the economy! Development cannot stop,” said Attila Cseke.

The Ministry of Development has also not paid bills worth RON 1.7 billion (EUR 340 million) for investments financed by the reconstruction fund. In order to avoid losing EU funding, Romania must give priority to these funds when paying the debts,

he said.

He added that the Anghel Saligny public utility program and the projects financed by the national program for local development (PNDL) also have a large number of unpaid bills, totaling RON 3.6 billion (EUR 723.5 million). Of these, priority will be given to the payment of investments in drinking water, waste water and gas networks.

An emergency system has also been set up for construction works managed by the National Investment Company (CNI), part of the Ministry. Priority will be given to all projects that are close to completion.

Attila Cseke stressed that until the debt is paid off, the ministry will not accept any new payment requests for investments launched under the Anghel Saligny and PNLD financing programs.

Via MTI, Featured image: Pixabay