Romania’s public‑sector salary law faces political and legal pushback

The government’s draft law on public‑sector salary reform has become a flashpoint in Romanian politics. Deputy Raluca Turcan (PNL) accused the Social Democratic Party (PSD) of deliberately sabotaging the bill, citing the party’s past failures to implement key reforms tied to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). Senator Cătălin Silegeanu (AUR) echoed the criticism, claiming the proposal grants disproportionate raises to high‑level officials while cutting tax benefits for low‑salary workers and erasing promises made to teachers after the 2023‑24 strikes.

PSD leader Sorin Grindeanu warned that the party will not support any version of the law that reduces incomes in health and education, describing the current draft as “austerity that impoverishes Romanians.” He called for a genuine social dialogue with unions before the bill proceeds to parliament.

Parliament is slated to meet in an extraordinary session to try to reach a compromise that would keep Romania on track to meet its PNRR milestones, including the contentious salary reform.

Separately, a criminal complaint was filed with the General Prosecutor’s Office by union leader Cosmin Dorobanțu against interim Labour Minister Dragoș Pîslaru, alleging misuse of ministry resources to continue work on the salary law after the Bolojan government was dismissed. The complaint cites alleged embezzlement, abuse of office and disregard for a court ruling.

The controversy underscores tensions over public‑sector pay, the allocation of EU recovery funds and the political stability of Romania’s governing coalition.