PM Emil Boc:
Mr. President of the Senate,
Madam Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Ministers,
Senators and Deputies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
The stake of merged elections in 2012 is the difficulties posed by economic year 2012. I say this in a sincere and direct way. Year 2012 will be a difficult year in terms of both external and internal standpoint. When I refer to the external appearance of the economic year 2012, I mean at least the following elements.

One - As you can see, the EU growth forecasts were revised down, and if in spring, it was talk of a forecast of over 2% economic growth, this fall, these forecasts were revised negatively, and there is talk of a growth of 0.5 to 0.6 in the EU, with the perspective, unfortunately, of an even re-entry into recession.

Second, the sovereign debt crisis in the EU has reached unprecedented levels. With the average public debts to GDP is over 80%, in 2012, the EU will have the extremely difficult mission to take decisions to protect EU countries, on the one hand, regarding the problem of sovereign debt, on the other hand the problem of excessive deficits.

Romania is not outside the EU, but rather is part of it and inevitably what happens in the EU directly affects us .
Internally,Romania has the chance to be successful in 2011 to resume growth. The stake of 2012 is to strengthen Romania's economic growth. We managed to have four consecutive quarters of growth. After two years of economic failure, 2009 and 2010, we will end 2011 withgrowth between 1.5 and 2%.

Also, Romania managed to take the necessary steps so that in 2012, gets out of the excessive deficit procedure following the 2008 deficit of 5.4%.

If in 2011, we will end up with a deficit of maximum 4.4%, the budget for 2012 is built on a deficit of 1.9% and a forecast deficit 0 for 2013. These are signs of responsibility for which, once again, I thank the Romanians and, secondly, the government coalition which supported in this period,Romania’s efforts not to collapse and to avoid the country’s bankruptcy.

From this perspective, the economic year 2012 faces this major challenge of strengthening economic growth. And you know well that I came before you and thank you for having approved a budget without any electoral connotation. For the first time in the last 20 years, a parliamentary majority has power, and the wisdom and the ability to leave electoral alms and populism and adopt a budget in the interest of Romania and all citizens of this country, so we can enhance in these times of economic storm in the European Union, what we gained economically in 2011.

Also, 2012 has two main challenges: the challenge of continuing investment policy to save jobs and create new ones and also the chance of absorption of European funds. Ladies and gentlemen, MPs, let us tell them bluntly. You all know what means two election campaigns over the course of one year.

Each of you, if you ask this question, what are two electoral campaigns for a country, you have the answer. Inevitably, it means slowing down the development engines, political disputes, unfortunately, political ones, many times, means politicking, is virtually paralyzing state activity at national and local level in a year, again, that has a huge stake economically, in terms of strengthening Romania’s situation.

Consider that in 2012, in terms of absorption of European funds,we have the chance to bring six billion euros in Romania. In terms of structural funds, I want you to know that now, there are signed 7441 contracts worth 19.8 billion euros, of which 12.3 billion euros is EU money. I speak only of cohesion funds. There are signed projects, and which in other words, are implemented. Think what means fragmentation of 2012 in two election campaigns.

Most of these projects are in relationships with local governments that need to implement them. Entering the campaign means at least two months before and two months of inactivity and slowing down the engines of absorption of European funds . Now we have, for the first time in 20 years, the chance to use European money.

I invite you not to miss it and find the best solution in the interest of the country. Also, if we mean the measure 322, which we all know, there are 617 projects worth over 1.5 billion euro. This means, again, implications for all local authorities in what means management of these European funds.

And if we think that 64% of 2013 allocation which we have on European funding, I mean the structural component, it is already begun, gives us another argument for what means 2012 not be compromised through electoral campaigns, through barren disputes and energy consumption in a different direction than that which would serve the interests of the country. Time, from this point of view, can be an ally as time can be an enemy .
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Accordingly, the proposal we made is that, in 2012, we focus -power and opposition, opposition and power, central and local government – on what means good for Romania by strengthening growth, this gain, and, secondly, by the absorption of European funds absorption which requires 24 hours of 24 hours work for European money to come and stay in Romania. An electoral campaign less is not a deficit of democracy.

As more campaigns carried out at short intervals do not automatically mean an increase in the quality and level of democracy. Merging local and parliamentary elections in 2012 is also a chance to have a strong interest of voters for these elections. A large number will come to vote.

Therefore, I think we cannot speak of a deficit of democracy in conditions where it is known that local elections generate emulation and a greater participation of citizens to vote.
Why not seize this opportunity and to enable Romanians, citizens of this country, to speak in a direct, explicit and transparent way about the fate of local authorities and on the future government. From these brief considerations, I invite you, ladies and gentlemen MPs, to reject this motion of censure and approach responsibly the economic year 2012 in general interest. Thank you!