Romania's coalition government survived the first attempt in parliament to have it voted no confidence just 3 weeks after taking office, the BNR reported.
The request for the vote was submitted by the far-right opposition over unpopular tax increases, which were undertaken by the majority of 4 pro-European parties that support the cabinet of Prime Minister Ilie Bolognese.
134 deputies voted against the government with a minimum of 234 required.
Among the increased taxes, the new rates of which will come into effect next month is VAT - 21% from 19% so far, and also for food, medicines, housing and basic services, VAT will become 11% from 5 to 9 percent by at the moment.
The aim of the increased rates is to avoid a collapse in our northern neighbor's credit rating and the unblocking of European funds - all part of a large-scale effort to reduce Romania's budget deficit, which in percentage terms is the largest in the European Union (9.3% of GDP in 2024).
Prime Minister Bolognese hopes that the deficit will fall to 8% of GDP by the end of the year and approach 6% in 2026.
According to Romanian law, the tax measures can be challenged in the Constitutional Court, and the opposition said last week that it would try to do so.