6bn euros spent on repairs by Bucharest City Hall in five years, no major project finalised

Bucharest City Hall (PMB) did not succeed in finishing any new sports hall, show hall, passageway, stadium, hospital or new car park in 2005-2009 period. Most new works were started and 50-70% finalised, in the context where the city hall had a total budget worth 6bn euros. The money was managed by Adriean Videanu of PDL (Democratic Liberal Party) between 2005-2008, and since 2008 until present the general mayor position has been held by Sorin Oprescu, an independent politician. From the total 6bn-euro budget, only 900 million euros were earmarked for investments, with the rest being directed to subsidies, goods or services acquisition, the funding of subordinated institutions and personnel expenses. The only chapters where the City Hall has kept its promises were street rehabilitation and tram line modernisation. Basarab flyover, Glina water cleaning station, Bucharest’s historical centre, 10 passageways and penetrations or the over 20 underground and over-ground car parks are just a few of the projects worth hundreds of million euros announced in 2005, scheduled for finalisation by late 2009.