President signs next year’s state budget into law

President Miloš Zeman on Sunday signed next year’s state budget into law. The budget projects a deficit of 112 billion crowns, 12 billion more than this year. Lawmakers however believe the deficit will not exceed 3 percent of the Czech GDP. The budget, put forth by the outgoing interim government, won backing of 119 MPs of the emerging coalition earlier this week. The centre-right Civic Democrat and TOP 09 parties, meanwhile, said it was neither an austerity nor pro-growth budget.

Author: Jan Richter