ZAGREB, Sept 27 (Hina) - The state budget was executed mostly as planned in the first six months of this year, deputies in the House of Counties said during Wednesday's debate on a report on the execution of the state budget, which
received a positive assessment. Revenues in the first six months increased at a somewhat speedier rate than planned but it is estimated that their increase will be slower by the end of this year, Assistant Finance Minister Velimir Rajkovic said. The spending will be slightly increased than planned, primarily due to obligations toward social care, the pension fund and health insurance. The budgetary deficit this year was estimated at about three percent but due to slightly increased spending it could amount to about four percent by the end of this year, which is still twice less than last year, Rajkovic said. Although the report was adopted with a majority vote, part of Croatian Democratic U
ZAGREB, Sept 27 (Hina) - The state budget was executed mostly as
planned in the first six months of this year, deputies in the House
of Counties said during Wednesday's debate on a report on the
execution of the state budget, which received a positive
assessment.
Revenues in the first six months increased at a somewhat speedier
rate than planned but it is estimated that their increase will be
slower by the end of this year, Assistant Finance Minister Velimir
Rajkovic said.
The spending will be slightly increased than planned, primarily due
to obligations toward social care, the pension fund and health
insurance.
The budgetary deficit this year was estimated at about three
percent but due to slightly increased spending it could amount to
about four percent by the end of this year, which is still twice less
than last year, Rajkovic said.
Although the report was adopted with a majority vote, part of
Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) deputies was critical toward the
budgetary policy. The report is realistic but this budgetary policy
is unsustainable, said HDZ's Franjo Krizanic warning about the tax
burden and the increase of public spending.
Representatives of the ruling six-party coalition held a different
view. Zlatko Komadina of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) said the
budget was executed within the planned framework, financial
discipline had been increased and fiscal revenues were being
realised regularly.
Some deputies spoke about the need to rationalise spending and in
that regard mentioned the need to reduce the number of diplomatic
and increase the number or economic offices, as well as reduce the
number of ministries.
The House of Counties continues its session this afternoon. The
parliamentary bench of the HDZ party, which holds the majority of
seats in the upper house, will hold a session in the meantime.
(hina) rml