The Bucharest Court of Appeal rejected the appeal submitted by Bucharest mayor Gabriela Firea against a lower court’s ruling that invalidated the City Hall’s decision of setting up several utility companies.

The new decision puts an end to Firea’s attempts to concentrate a significant amount of economic activity in the hands of several companies formally controlled by the municipality but with a lower degree of transparency than former local agencies subordinated to the City Hall that provided similar services.

In essence, the Bucharest General Council approved setting up these companies with only a simple majority when at least two-thirds of its members should have voted in favor, which is why the decisions were not legally adopted, the court ruled, according to local Mediafax.

Nonetheless, Mayor Firea has not abandoned the idea of keeping the municipal companies alive. She promised to come up with initiatives “in line with the Court’s decision”. She invited members of the City Council to support the companies, irrespective of their political orientation. However, she doesn't even enjoy the support of her party, the Social Democratic Party (PSD).

“You must be either kidding or hallucinating,” PSD City Council member Orlando Culea responded Firea’s invitation.

editor@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: Facebook/Gabriela Firea)