Parliament adopts 2008 budget review

Serbia's parliament today adopted the draft budget review sent by the government, increasing the budget deficit. The minus in the state finances will thus go from the planned RSD 40.9bn to RSD 45.8bn. Parliament adopts 2008 budget review Only the ruling coalition MPs supported the draft in a vote on Tuesday. Serbia's state expenditure has been increased to RSD 695.9bn from RSD 680.5bn. A ten-percent pensions hike, which will take up RSD 12.7bn, RSD 7bn for farming subsidies, the cost of the Belgrade bypass and Corridor 10 works, have all been listed as the reasons for more spending, and higher budget deficit, as specified in its review. Another burden on the budget is the RSD 1.97bn that the state will have to spend to set up a join company with Italy's Fiat carmaker. The voting in parliament today came after yesterday’s session in parliament ran on until midnight, while the debate on the remaining 10 amendments to the draft budget law resumed at 10:00 CET today. During the three-day debate, MPs have considered 74 out of 84 amendments to the draft budget review. Opposition MPs have criticized the proposal, insisting that the current government was costing a lot of tax payer money, and that their amendments would ensure that projected expenditure would be distributed more rationally. Serb Radical Party (SRS) and the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) MPs have especially criticized the spending of the Economy and Regional Development Ministry, demanding their funds be cut, and distributed to other beneficiaries. DSS MPs suggested that projected expenditure for the construction of buildings housing judicial bodies should be reduced. They have also drafted an amendment to review redistribution of funds for culture, with a view to increasing the pensions of recognized artists. Liberal Democratic Party MPs have drafted several amendments proposing reductions in the Ministry of Energy’s spending, especially when it comes to subsidies to public companies in the energy industry, as well as cuts in subsidies to Serbian Railways. Serb Progressive Party (SNS) MPs insisted on increasing welfare benefits, especially for children, at the expense of the Administration for Joint Services of the Republic Bodies, certain cabinets and ski resorts. SRS MPs disrupted speeches by their SNS counterparts by banging their fists on their benches. Parliament (FoNet, archive)

Parliament adopts 2008 budget review

Only the ruling coalition MPs supported the draft in a vote on Tuesday. Serbia's state expenditure has been increased to RSD 695.9bn from RSD 680.5bn.

A ten-percent pensions hike, which will take up RSD 12.7bn, RSD 7bn for farming subsidies, the cost of the Belgrade bypass and Corridor 10 works, have all been listed as the reasons for more spending, and higher budget deficit, as specified in its review.

Another burden on the budget is the RSD 1.97bn that the state will have to spend to set up a join company with Italy's Fiat carmaker.

The voting in parliament today came after yesterday’s session in parliament ran on until midnight, while the debate on the remaining 10 amendments to the draft budget law resumed at 10:00 CET today.

During the three-day debate, MPs have considered 74 out of 84 amendments to the draft budget review.

Opposition MPs have criticized the proposal, insisting that the current government was costing a lot of tax payer money, and that their amendments would ensure that projected expenditure would be distributed more rationally.

Serb Radical Party (SRS) and the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) MPs have especially criticized the spending of the Economy and Regional Development Ministry, demanding their funds be cut, and distributed to other beneficiaries.

DSS MPs suggested that projected expenditure for the construction of buildings housing judicial bodies should be reduced.

They have also drafted an amendment to review redistribution of funds for culture, with a view to increasing the pensions of recognized artists.

Liberal Democratic Party MPs have drafted several amendments proposing reductions in the Ministry of Energy’s spending, especially when it comes to subsidies to public companies in the energy industry, as well as cuts in subsidies to Serbian Railways.

Serb Progressive Party (SNS) MPs insisted on increasing welfare benefits, especially for children, at the expense of the Administration for Joint Services of the Republic Bodies, certain cabinets and ski resorts.

SRS MPs disrupted speeches by their SNS counterparts by banging their fists on their benches.