Romanian interim PM Ilie Bolojan slammed by MEP Luis Lazarus over tax hikes

European Parliament member Luis Lazarus said he asked the AI tool ChatGPT to list what he calls the "misfortunes" inflicted by Romania’s interim prime minister Ilie Bolojan. The list included steep increases in taxes and VAT, higher fuel accises, a 10 % cut to pensions plus a compulsory 10 % health contribution, and a 40 % reduction in scholarship funds.

According to Lazarus, ChatGPT initially framed these measures as reforms, then replied, “Da, aveți dreptate, mă scuzați,” acknowledging the hardship. Lazarus used the exchange to accuse Bolojan of burdening ordinary Romanians, saying the combined tax rises on property, cars and land and the fuel price hike “imposed three times higher costs”. He concluded that Bolojan behaves like “a robot without empathy” and urged the public to reject his policies.

The criticism highlights growing tension in Romanian politics over recent fiscal measures that have sparked public discontent.