Vojtěch Filip: Communist MPs ready to back 2020 state budget

Communist Party leader Vojtěch Filip announced on Friday that his deputies will likely support the 2020 state budget proposal presented by the finance minister.

The government of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) in mid-September proposed a 2020 budget with a deficit of 40 billion crowns, the same as planned for this year.

Filip’s announcement came following a meeting with Mr Babiš and Minister of Finance Alena Schillerová (ANO). The minority coalition government with the Social Democrat relies on Communist tolerance.

The Communists have used their role as kingmaker several times to win major concessions. ANO was obliged to support their proposal to tax compensation awarded churches in lieu of property seized by the former regime that could not be returned in restitution.

Author: Brian Kenety