BUCHAREST, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Romania's leftist opposition Social Democrat Party (PSD) is betting the global financial crisis will help it win the Nov. 30 parliamentary election as voters begin to fear its fallout on jobs and the local economy.
Surveys show the PSD's popularity has risen in recent months to over 30 percent, giving the party once damaged by corruption scandals a close second place in the rankings behind their centrist rivals, the opposition Democrat-Liberal Party (PD-L).
Following are comments by PSD chief Mircea Geoana regarding the party's economic agenda.
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IMF
Like the ruling Liberal Party, the PSD says Romania should not seek help from the International Monetary Fund to shore up investor sentiment.
"Hungary got what I believe we should try to avoid if we can and I think we'll be able to avoid a new standby agreement with the IMF," Geoana said.
BUDGET DEFICIT
The PSD wants to target a government budget deficit of 2.5 percent of gross domestic product next year and decrease it to 1.5 percent by 2013. The current government of Prime Minister Calin Tariceanu wants the deficit at 2 percent in 2009.
GDP GROWTH
Party strategists expect the economy growing 3-4 percent in 2009, compared to central bank expectations for a 4-5 percent expansion.
EURO ENTRY
The PSD wants to keep the current euro zone entry goal of 2014.
TAXES
The PSD wants to keep income taxes capped at the current 16-percent flat tax level, but wants to introduce a 10-percent tax level for the poorest. It also wants to raise sales taxes on luxury goods.
Asked about the possibility of increasing income taxes, Geoana said: "This is the worst case scenario and I am not looking at it".
(Reporting by Luiza Ilie and Justyna Pawlak; Editing by Victoria Main) Keywords: ROMANIA LEFTISTS/
(justyna.pawlak@reuters.com; +40 21 3158320; Reuters Messaging: justyna.pawlak.reuters.com@reuters.net )
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