Prime Minister-designate Siegfried Muresan said on Tuesday that reducing unnecessary spending and making public spending more efficient are not austerity measures, but measures of responsibility, adding that he will continue efforts to reduce waste.

'Let's not confuse putting an end to waste with austerity. In recent years, the term 'austerity' has been used too often by politicians who want to continue wasting public money. Whenever someone tries to put the country's finances in order, to cut unnecessary spending or make the state more efficient, they are immediately accused of 'austerity' by populist politicians. I believe exactly the opposite,' Muresan wrote on Facebook.

He pointed out that wasting public money means fewer resources available for areas such as education, healthcare, infrastructure and investment.

'Every leu spent unnecessarily by the state is a leu that does not go to a school, a hospital, a road or an investment that Romania needs. That is why we will continue to put public finances in order, reduce waste and demand performance wherever the state spends people's money. This does not mean austerity. It means responsibility for people's money. I want public money to reach people, not be wasted,' the prime minister-designate conveyed. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Alina Novaceanu; EN - writing by: Rodica State)