Bolojan Denies Government Blame for PNRR Shortcomings

Ilie Bolojan addressed the conclusion of Romania's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) at the Mureș Prefecture on August 31, emphasizing that the government he represents holds no responsibility for the funds lost during the program's implementation. "Important investments will remain in Romania," Bolojan stated, acknowledging the PNRR's failures.

The PNRR, submitted in May 2021 and approved by the EU Council in October 2021, aimed to drive significant reforms and investments in Romania. However, the country missed the deadline for some reforms and investments, resulting in a loss of 770 million euros due to the failure to pass a salary law reform. Bolojan insisted that the government "did everything possible to pass [the salary law]."

The PNRR included a grant component of approximately 13.5 billion euros and a loan component that was reduced to about 7 billion euros. Despite the setbacks, the plan directly funded major infrastructure projects, such as the modernization of railways and the hospital network, as well as improvements in educational facilities, with most county seat schools being modernized and equipped.

As part of the infrastructure developments, a 50-kilometer section of the Moldova Highway opened today, with the highway to Pașcani expected to be accessible by next spring. However, the decarbonization targets were not fully met, leading to the potential loss of up to 100 million euros. Funds intended for replacing coal power plants were not fully used, and the Craiova power plant remains unfinished, leaving the city in need of heating. Additionally, energy groups in the Jiu Valley were not replaced, prompting the extension of coal units at Turceni and Craiova until 2028 to ensure heating and national thermal balance.

Bolojan, who was dismissed as Prime Minister on May 5, promised that an accountability report on the PNRR would be forthcoming, providing a detailed account of the program's outcomes and the challenges faced.