Romanian Parliament Adopts 2019 State Budget Bill Again, Unchanged

03.13.2019 By Oana Gavrila

Romanian lawmakers on Wednesday adopted the 2019 state budget bill unchanged, rejecting President Klaus Iohannis' request for reexamination.

The bill was adopted with 245 votes in favor, 115 against, two abstentions, and three MPs did not cast votes.

Iohannis had challenged the bill's constitutionality but the Constitutional Court dismissed the challenge. He then sent the bill back to Parliament for reexamination.

Under the Constitution, the head of state must now sign off on the bill.

The Parliament first adopted the budget bill mid-February. The budget plan is built on a deficit target of 2.76% of GDP and an economic growth projection of 5.5%.

Romania's economic growth slowed to 4.1% in 2018 after 7% growth in 2017 and analysts expect it to slow even further in 2019.