Romania's CNAIR scrapes 500+ planned hires after budget overhaul

CNAIR, the Romanian road authority, had asked for 506 new employees, including 126 positions in Bucharest offices, as part of a budget proposal linked to PNRR funds. Transport Minister Radu Miruță said the request lacked justification and asked the agency to provide a clear rationale.

After the ministry rejected the proposal, CNAIR director Cristian Pistol revised the budget and eliminated all the new positions. Secretary of State Horațiu Cosma announced the change, noting savings of more than 75 million lei, of which over 56 million lei come from reduced salary costs, and stressed that the agency should focus on road maintenance rather than expanding staff. "A few weeks ago, CNAIR director Cristian Pistol presented a budget that defied common sense," Cosma wrote on Facebook.