The Romanian Senate overwhelmingly approved on Thursday an amendment to the law on the sponsorship of companies, which would no longer be allowed to receive support from the state budget.
According to Democratic senator Marius Marinescu, who initiated the change, it is aimed especially at football clubs across the country which, while transferring players for big amounts of money, still receive financial state support.
But economic analyst George Vulcanescu told Hotnews.ro the amendment is double edged as it is a solution to keep state companies away from the temptation to provide financial support on interest-related criteria, as is the case of sport clubs, but may also prevent sponsorships for publishing houses or private universities.
He sees the move as a "police-style measure" that affects private companies when authorities prove unable to make state companies more efficient.
The draft legislation is due to be debated in the House before it becomes law.
