May 26 (SeeNews) - Opposition Social Democrats will file a censure motion against Romania's government on June 14 over the poor quality of projects proposed under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), party leader Marcel Ciolacu said on Wednesday.
"All we know about the NRRP is that it does help with Romania's development, but it is an austerity plan for all Romanians," Ciolacu said in a televised statement broadcast by Digi 24.
Ciolacu also said that the coalition government led by Florin Citu has not presented the full NRRP in parliament on Wednesday, and that it plans to distribute the funds to companies and consultants close to the government.
The cabinet will send the final version of the plan, through which Romania can draw up to 29.2 billion euro ($35.7 billion) from the EU, to the European Commission on Monday. Investment projects are focused on six areas: green transition; digital transformation; sustainable, intelligent and inclusive growth; social and territorial cohesion; health, social and institutional economic resilience; policies for the next generation of children and young people.
In order to pass, the censure motion needs to be backed by at least 233 members of parliament.
Left-wing Social Democrat Party (PSD) holds 157 of 465 seats in parliament. National Liberal Party (PNL) and the centre-right bloc formed by Save Romania Union (USR) and PLUS parties, which form the governing coalition, hold 134 and 80 seats, respectively.
Right-wing nationalist party Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR) controls 44 seats, while the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) holds 29. The remaining seats are taken by 18 MPs representing minorities, and by 3 independent MPs.
The Recovery and Resilience Facility of the European Commission aims to help the EU emerge stronger and more resilient from the current crisis prompted by the coronavirus pandemic. The facility will make 672.5 billion euro in loans and grants available to support reforms and investments undertaken by Member States.
($= 0.8167 euro)