New Romanian Government Defends Tax Rise Plan, Survives No-Confidence Vote

Romania’s three-week-old government survived a no-confidence vote on Monday, allowing it to push through tax hikes, in an effort to lower the nation’s budget deficit.

Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan’s coalition has fast-tracked an increase in value-added tax (VAT)—akin to U.S. sales tax—excise duties, and other levies through parliament to take effect in August.