Romanian Constitutional Court Upholds Law Freezing Public Wages, Pensions In 2012

Romanian President Traian Basescu said on public radio on November 16 there is no money to raise public sector wages and pensions, regardless of the Constitutional Court ruling.

„Regardless of what the Constitutional Court decides, there is no money. If money existed, it would be paid,” he said at that time referring to the law that freezes pensions and salaries in the public sector next year, which the opposition had contested.

The president’s statements prompted the opposition to seek to impeach him for disregarding state institutions.

The bill freezing wages and pensions in the public sector throughout the next year was adopted by Parliament on November 8.

The Government has said it would look into raising wages and pensions in the second half of next year, if the economy allows it.