Finance Ministry aiming for 100 billion crown deficit in 2015

The Finance Ministry is aiming for a 2015 state budget with a 100 billion crown deficit, i.e a gap below 3 percent of the GDP, according to ministry sources. The proposed draft budget will be put to the three coalition parties of the centre-left government on April 9th. Finance Minister Andrej Babiš has refused to reveal further details until the proposal has been debated in cabinet. The ministry wants to improve the state of public finances by an overhaul in public spending and cracking down on tax evaders. The finance minister has also indicated he wants to invest or use profits from state owned firms, such as the power giant ČEZ.