Hey, sit down and hold on tight, because we've got news that'll make you check your wallet and your car at the same time! On one hand, interim Deputy Prime Minister Oana Gheorghiu says the digital wallet is a miracle; on the other, the PSD is fighting to keep diesel prices from jumping. Let's take them one by one, because there's enough circus for everyone.
First, the digital wallet. Rumors were flying that the Government secretly gave millions of euros to a German company under the table, without a tender. Oana Gheorghiu jumped like she was burned on Facebook: "FAKE!" she said, "we're taking the source code from the Germans for free, it's open-source, bro!" And she also said our data doesn't go to the Germans, but stays in Romania. For real, man? Because I heard from a buddy of mine who works at STS that if it's open-source, anyone can look at it. But hey, let's give her credit, maybe it's true.
Minister Irineu Darău explained that you'll be able to prove your identity directly from your phone, have your driver's license or diplomas in digital format, both in Romania and the EU. And he says you can control what data you share. Don't worry, because if it's like the bank, you'll end up giving access to everything and then you'll get ads for diet pills. But it's not mandatory, they say. So if you don't want to, you stick with physical cards, like my grandma.
The truth is, the cancellation of the tender for the National Interoperability Platform (PNI) also sparked discussions. Oana Gheorghiu said it was canceled to avoid duplicate purchases, because PNI and the digital wallet are complementary. Coordination is done by her cabinet, and the app is made by the Ministry of Internal Affairs - RO Wallet. And they want to collaborate with private companies too, which can make their own wallets if they follow the rules. A recent memorandum with Mastercard for five years. Deadline: December 2026. Until then, we have time to live our lives.
Now, the diesel part. PSD deputy Bogdan Ivan (former Minister of Energy) announced that the PSD submitted an amendment in Parliament to extend the cap on commercial markup for diesel for another three months. The cap expires on June 30 (that's tomorrow, if today is Monday), and the interim government can no longer issue emergency ordinances - that's it, they don't have full powers. Ivan says if the amendment isn't adopted on Tuesday, the price will jump on Wednesday. He's negotiating, but he doesn't have a majority. So, tomorrow we'll see what we do: either we drink diesel, or we drink water.
Senate President Mircea Abrudean said we still have time to form a government with full powers, if they hurry up. He said the interim officials can't issue emergency ordinances or important legislative projects, and that affects our PNRR milestones. He also said Bolojan isn't clinging to the position and called for dialogue. Okay, man, let's see what comes of it.
And so, bro, in one day we have a digital wallet that saves us, in another diesel gets more expensive and we get ripped off. I'm going to have a beer at Fane's and think about whether to leave my BMW in the parking lot or fill up today, because tomorrow might be too late. You do the same, because after June 30 we'll be crying tears of diesel.
