Prime Minister-designate Luca Niculescu said on Thursday that salary arrears owed to magistrates, amounting to RON 5 billion, are putting additional pressure on the budget.
He explained that he wants to hold talks with all those involved in the decision in order to identify a solution.
"I will not hide the fact that this puts additional pressure on the budget. One of the first things I will do is invite everyone involved in this decision to a dialogue so that we can see what solutions we can find," he told Antena 1 private broadcaster's news show Observator.
The PM-designate announced that pensions were due to be indexed starting next year.
"The minimum wage is a matter for discussion. And it is quite possible that there will be good news on this front as well. We need to see where we stand after the budget revision and how we close out this year. And you will soon see how the budget will be drawn up," Niculescu said.
He described Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare as "highly competent', adding that he has lately seen "a great deal of figures" presented by Minister Nazare and the National Bank of Romania.
"I have a fairly good idea of what to expect, but, of course, there can always be surprises. I hope they will be pleasant ones," he said.
Separately, Niculescu expressed hope that no motion of no confidence would be tabled over the next six months.
"I am counting on the agreements we will reach with several parties, particularly regarding the deficit target that Romania must meet. In other words, our spending will not be excessive and will not exceed that target. At the same time, we need to look after people. People must feel that their lives are getting better. I am not promising miracles - just look at the international situation - but I promise that we will do everything within our power to make things better," he said.
