Romanian lawmakers have approved a budget despite tensions within the ruling coalition, which includes the leftist Social Democrats. The government raised taxes and cut some state spending last year, and agreed with Brussels to reduce the deficit to below 3% by 2030. Despite this, the Social Democrats have expressed uncertainty about remaining in government. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan defended the budget, stating that if they don't act now, the country will be "crashed" by interest rates. The cost of servicing Romania's public debt has doubled over the past four years to $13.