Romanian centrists seek urgent budget approval, keep gap in check

Romania’s centrist National Liberal Party of Prime Minister-designate Ludovic Orban wants to quickly adopt next year’s budget and rein in a fiscal shortfall below the European Union’s 3% threshold while strengthening courts. Expansionary fiscal and wage policies by the outgoing Social Democrat government have boosted Romania’s deficits, while tax hikes, energy price caps approved without public debate, and moves to weaken the judiciary have dented investors’ appetite.