The mini-report published by Ilie Bolojan on the effects of the economic measures in 2025 caused a wave of reactions online. Many Romanians reproached the prime minister that the higher state revenues affected the Romanians’ standard of living.
Many Romanians looked pessimistically at the Prime Minister’s announcement regarding the economy. Photo: Freepik.com
The announcement published by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan regarding the effectiveness of the economic recovery measures of the last few months provoked many ironic reactions from Romanians. Ilie Bolojan showed that budget revenues are increasing and expenses are decreasing, concluding that Romania is on the right track.
In the mini-report published on his Facebook page, the Prime Minister of Romania states that in the third quarter, compared to the same period last year, the revenues of the state budget increased by 12.5 percent.
“From 79.2 billion lei we reached 89.1 billion lei. An increase of 9.9 billion lei. Income tax – increase by 16.5%. Revenues from VAT – increase by 14.8%. Revenue from excise duties – increase by 11%. Social contributions collected in the third quarter increased by 8.5%, i.e. 4 billion lei more”says the prime minister.
Ilie Bolojan added that between July and September 2025, personnel expenses decreased by 630 million lei. European funds were also unlocked and renegotiated through the PNRR program, and payments were accelerated in the second half of the year.
“Romania borrows cheaper, and investments have increased according to the latest European Commission report. Investments will accelerate in 2026-2027, supported by European funds and ongoing projects. The budget deficit will decrease to 6.2% in 2026”, completed the prime minister.
On platforms like Reddit, Romanians responded to the prime minister’s optimistic announcement with numerous ironic messages.
In one such message, a Romanian proposed awarding a Nobel Prize to Ilie Bolojan. “Raise taxes, raise revenue. Someone call Sweden” he specified.
How the Romanians “translated” the Prime Minister’s message
Other Romanians commented in a similar style on the mini-report published on Facebook. Here are some of the reactions:
“The recovery measures are working, just on our backs.”
“We put a lot of taxes and more money came to the budget.”
“Tax receipts … billions. Spending cuts … millions.”
“I’m glad we’re doing well. Take more from us, please. We still have power to contribute to the well-being of the country.”
“How glad I am! Our bills have doubled, many are talking about it, but the state budget is growing.”
“If I make 10 lei a day, if I don’t eat today, tomorrow I have 20 lei.”
“Done, dad, the measures are working, no more reforms are needed.”
“Statistics sound nice, but the shelf reality still doesn’t know about them.”
“Clap, mah, or your taxes go up again.”
“We took more money from ordinary citizens, so more money went into the state treasury.”
“We’re doing so well that next year they want to raise taxes.”
“Another 10 percent pay cut, thanks for helping the economy.”
“This is like that: “We caught all the criminals in Romania, we don’t have any more crimes. How? Well, we put the entire population of the country in prison.”
“The state is doing better and better.”
“Oh yes, I’m glad, the state makes more money in exchange for impoverishing honest people.”
Many Romanians remained pessimistic
Some Romanians looked at the figures presented by the prime minister with disbelief and are pessimistic about the effects of the reforms.
“This increase in revenue of 9.9 billion is done exclusively on our backs. Putting a 630 million lei spending cut on top of those billions is offensive. Do we have to suffer? Yes, okay, we understand, we suffer. But until when? What is the plan for 1-2 years? That if I tighten my belt now and spend my money, and a year from now a prime minister comes and the line begins, I cannot agree with that”writes an internet user.
Someone else draws the attention of Romanians to stop complaining.
“When notices are given, they are good, welcome and much deserved. When the belt is tightened, because notices were given out of duty, it is because someone has something with the people”, he states.
Another Romanian believes that if the state’s revenues increase through taxes, then the incomes of the people from whom those taxes are collected automatically decrease.
“And when those people are retired and salaried, their purchasing power automatically goes down as well. I wonder: when people’s purchasing power goes down, what happens to the economy’s GDP?” add this one.
A netizen says that the measures will have no effect, if in a year or two the collected money will be spent pointlessly.
“The state’s receipts have increased, instead we now pay three times more for shopping. In 2020 we were paying 250 lei for the shopping basket, now it’s 650 lei. I’m not saying that all services have increased in price enormously. I don’t know how some people can still afford the buildings they have now. The budget has increased because taxes have increased, not because Romania “is on the right track”. Any government can claim success like this. It’s like saying you have ‘performance’ because you’ve raised the price of tickets, not because more people are coming.”says someone else.
“There are some years ahead that will remind us of the period ’85-’89”concludes another Romanian.
