Vice Premier Gabriel Oprea hopeful 2016 budget will include wealth tax collections

Chairman of the National Union for the Progress of Romania (UNPR), Vice Premier Gabriel Oprea, reiterated on Saturday in the mountain resort of Sinaia the need to have large fortunes taxed, voicing hopes that the 2016 budget will also include amounts from this source of revenues.

Asked if he considers the implementation of such a legislative initiative is feasible, Oprea said that steps will be taken early next year to have the relevant bill discussed in Parliament.

"We hope that as of 2016 this [revenue source] will be incorporated in the budget for one or two years, for as long as experts consider that the state coffers will need this money," Oprea said. He added that he is optimistic the necessary votes for the passage of this bill will be collected, the more so as "over 80 percent of the Romanians want large fortunes to be taxed".

"I believe we will collect [the votes] and hopefully Parliament will prove the necessary maturity; we hope to convince [the lawmakers] that we should have this solidarity law in effect for a period of two to three years, as considered necessary. (... ) Mind you, over 80 percent of the Romanians want the wealth tax to be introduced," said the UNPR chairman.

Gabriel Oprea participated on Saturday in Sinaia in the meeting of the League of UNPR Mayors. AGERPRES