The lower house of Parliament has approved the main parameters of the draft state budget for next year, with the governing coalition voting in favour. The planned deficit is set to rise from CZK 310 billion this year to CZK 386 billion in 2027.
Revenue is projected to increase by CZK 80.8 billion year on year to CZK 2.199 trillion, while expenditure is expected to rise by CZK 156.8 billion to CZK 2.585 trillion. The government plans to cover the deficit mainly by increasing state debt.
Opposition parties failed to push through proposals to return the draft budget to the government with a recommendation to revise it and reduce the deficit.
MPs can no longer amend the budget's main parameters. They will now debate individual budget chapters and propose reallocations of funds within the overall budget.