More than one in four local authorities in Romania risk losing access to parts of their public funding after failing to enrol in Ghiseul.ro, the government's online platform for the payment of local taxes and fees, interim Deputy Prime Minister Oana Gheorghiu announced.

Under the law, all municipalities and local administrations must be connected to the platform by August 25.

According to Gheorghiu, 919 of Romania's 3,187 administrative units have yet to comply with the requirement.

"Over 2.5 million Romanians cannot benefit from the advantages of digitalisation today and are forced to physically go to city hall," Gheorghiu said, arguing that universal participation in Ghiseul.ro is essential to ensure citizens can access public services online regardless of where they live.

The deputy prime minister said she had sent reminder letters to the 919 mayors concerned, warning them that they have 20 days to complete the enrolment process.

"In case of non-compliance with the deadline, the law provides for the cessation of funding of local budgets, both with quotas deducted from income tax and with amounts deducted from certain state budget revenues intended to balance local budgets, with a few exceptions," she said, quoted by Profit.ro.

The measure could affect transfers from the state budget that are used to finance local government operations, although statutory exceptions remain in place.

Gheorghiu added that the situation highlights the need for broader administrative reform.

"Romania urgently needs administrative reform and a reduction in the number of mayors," she said.

Ghiseul.ro platform is Romania's official online payment portal for public services, allowing citizens to pay local taxes, fines and other public charges electronically. In 2023, the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitalisation and the Authority for the Digitalisation of Romania also launched a mobile application for the platform, through which more than 400 types of payments can be made.

(Photo: Gov.ro)

iulian@romania-insider.com