Marius Budăi criticizes Bolojan after inflation rises to 6.9%

PSD lawmaker Marius Budăi criticized Ilie Bolojan on Friday after the annual inflation rate reportedly rose to 6.9% in October, from 6.6% in September. The Social Democrat argues that the fiscal measures promoted by the former prime minister did not ease pressure on the economy, but contributed to worsening it.

Budăi said that the increase in VAT and excise duties on fuel, adopted amid the international energy crisis, the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East, amplified the effects of rising prices. According to the lawmaker, diesel is currently 43% more expensive than a year ago, while gasoline is 33% more expensive.

The PSD parliamentarian argues that higher fuel prices are reflected in transport, agriculture and, subsequently, food costs. He reiterated the party’s proposal that farmers be allowed to purchase directly at the pump the diesel needed for agricultural work, without VAT and excise duty, for the 78 liters per hectare declared to APIA.

Budăi estimates that the measure would reduce the price of fuel by at least 3–4 lei per liter and lower agricultural costs. The lawmaker said that PSD proposes protecting purchasing power by reducing costs, while policies associated with Bolojan would rely on raising taxes and reducing consumption. The criticism was made in a post published on Facebook.