www.antena3.ro/economic/nazare-explica-dupa-acuzat

The Ministry of Finance clarifies the differences between budget deficit calculations based on cash execution and the European ESA methodology, following requests from PSD. It explains that discrepancies arise from different methodologies and timing of revenue and expenditure recognition. The reported 9.2% of GDP deficit by Eurostat for Q2 2026 does not reflect the cumulative deficit for the first half of the year. Romania is on track to meet its 6.2% GDP deficit target for 2026, with a cash deficit of 3.82% at nine months, down from 5.35% last year. The increase in the deficit from 5.5% to 9.2% in Q2 is attributed to the timing of public investment payments, as significant expenditures were made earlier due to PNRR project deadlines. The Ministry emphasizes that cash and ESA deficits reflect different aspects of fiscal performance and should not be directly compared.