Significant reductions in staffing, estimated up to 40%, are reportedly being considered by the Romanian government for the prime minister's office and secretariat.
Romanian Government Announces 20% Staff Cuts in Local Public Administration
The Romanian government has unveiled a significant reform package aimed at reducing personnel expenditures and improving efficiency within local public administration. The reform, agreed upon after consultations between the government and the Association of Romanian Municipalities (AMR) in early August 2025, is expected to result in a 20% staff reduction.
The restructuring process, initiated during Cătălin Predoiu's interim leadership at the start of the year, is part of a broader effort including local tax reform and decentralization measures. Unlike the 2009 reform under Prime Minister Emil Boc, which involved massive public sector layoffs across various state institutions, the 2025 reforms focus primarily on local administration staff reductions.
The staffing scheme of the General Secretariat (SGG), which oversees key institutions like RA-APPS, Transgaz, and Transelectrica, is a target for restructuring. The Corps of Senior Civil Servants, created in 2012, is among the units considered for elimination. Employees of certain departments have been notified about upcoming job competitions.
The nature of the cuts in the 2025 reforms appears to be more targeted, with no explicit mention of wage cuts or broader central government layoffs. Instead, the reform is accompanied by other fiscal measures like tax increases and property tax reform, aimed at improving tax collection and service efficiency.
The planned overhaul is reminiscent of the measures implemented in 2009 by former prime minister Emil Boc, who cut the Chancellery staff by 40-50% during the post-financial crisis austerity program. However, the 2025 reforms seem more specific to local government structures and linked to EU commitments and fiscal stability goals.
The restructuring process includes internal competitions for civil servants at the Victoria Palace. The reform may serve as a model for other ministries to streamline their staffing structures. It's important to note that employees who do not meet performance standards during these evaluations may be dismissed.
The 2025 reform package is a continuation of austerity-focused fiscal measures, but it appears more targeted and accompanied by other fiscal measures. The government survives political challenges but faces criticism for the staff reductions. Former prime minister Emil Boc recently stated that the country appears to be returning to the kind of "harsh measures" imposed during his mandate.
[1] "Romania to cut 20% of public administration jobs as part of reform package," Reuters, 5 August 2025. [2] "Romanian Government Announces Major Staff Cuts in Local Public Administration," Profit.ro, 15 July 2025. [3] "Romania's Local Tax Reform and Decentralization Measures," World Bank, August 2025. [4] "EU Commits to Supporting Romania's Fiscal Stability and Reform Efforts," European Commission, 10 August 2025.
The 2025 reform package, which includes a 20% staff reduction in local public administration, is a part of the government's broader effort to reduce personnel expenditures and improve efficiency. This reform, a continuation of austerity-focused fiscal measures, is accompanied by other fiscal measures like tax increases and property tax reform, aimed at improving tax collection and service efficiency. The nature of the cuts in the 2025 reforms appears to be more targeted, with no explicit mention of wage cuts or broader central government layoffs, unlike the 2009 reform under Prime Minister Emil Boc. The planned restructuring is reminiscent of the measures implemented in 2009, but it seems more specific to local government structures and linked to EU commitments and fiscal stability goals.
