MPs await the first reading of next year's budget with a deficit of 386 billion

The Czech Parliament will begin debating the proposed state budget for next year, focusing on its key parameters including revenues, expenditures, and a deficit of 386 billion CZK. This deficit is 76 billion higher than this year's approved budget and will largely be financed through increased state debt. The government plans to raise revenues by 80.8 billion to 2.199 trillion CZK and expenditures by 156.8 billion to 2.585 trillion CZK, prioritizing investments and health support. Finance Minister Alena Schillerová acknowledged dissatisfaction with the deficit but rejected budgetary tricks. Opposition parties criticized the budget as crisis-oriented despite the absence of a crisis, particularly objecting to the proposed deficit, which would be the second highest since the COVID-19 pandemic.