“The ministries of Interior and Finance and local authorities are looking for ways to ensure a gradual transition to a system that won’t provide heating subsidies, Ponta said.
He said the decision to cut heating subsidies for households was a “too brutal” measure, and added that most large cities nationwide will be faced with insurmountable difficulties this winter.
Ponta said one of the solutions put on the table is providing financial support to local authorities to upgrade heating systems. He highlighted that city halls to receive aid will not be selected using political criteria.
In 2011, Romania’s Government decided to eliminate state-budget covered subsidies for heat, and local authorities were to decide if and under what conditions they may cover such aid.