Iohannis said the budget is problematic and risky. He said he believes estimated revenues are overrated and there is a real risk of running a deficit higher than the EU limit of 3%.
He added he will decide in the following days whether to sign the budget bill into law or send it back to Parliament for revisions.
Romania’s social democrat Cabinet drafted the budget on a projected economic growth of 5.2% and a deficit below 3% of GDP.
Romanian central bank governor Mugur Isarescu said last week the state budget was is ambitious in terms of revenue and optimistic in terms of spending.
On Monday, the European Commission released its winter forecast and sees Romania’s GDP growth at 4.4% this year and the country’s budget deficit at 3.6% of GDP.