PARLIAMENT yesterday approved the 2005 state budget with 82 of the 145 MPs present supporting the law, including 12 independents.
The planned budget income in 2005 is Sk258.56 billion (€6.55 billion), with expenditures reaching Sk320.08 billion (€8.12 billion), and a deficit of Sk61.52 billion (€1.56 billion), representing a public finance deficit of 3.8 percent of GDP, according to the Pravda daily.
The ministries of healthcare, education, labour and transportation, will receive the majority of the money – almost half the budget expenditures will go to these sectors.
Among the priorities for next year is highway construction, on which Sk17.7 billion (€450 million) will be spent. The healthcare sector will receive Sk75.7 billion (€1.92 billion) and Sk31.3 billion (€790 million) will go on social benefits.
Compiled by Martina Jurinová from press reports
TheSlovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the informationpresented in its Flash News postings.
