MPs set to debate 2010 budget review

The Serbian parliament is meeting in Belgrade today to discuss the draft revision of the country's 2010 budget. The draft, which envisages a budget deficit increase of RSD 13bn (some EUR 125mn) was forwarded to MPs by the government last week. In all, the deficit will reach RSD 120bn (EUR 1.1bn) after this revision. MPs set to debate 2010 budget review Finance Minister Diana Dragutinovic said ahead of the session on Tuesday that the budget revision came as agreement was reached during the fourth review of the country's arrangement with the IMF in June of this year. She also explained that the new deficit would be covered with loans, privatization income and securities. Opposition parties have criticized the draft, announcing that they would not vote for it. This includes the Liberal-Democrats (LDP), and the government will have to look to ethnic Hungarian parties for support, and if that fails - to a handful of independent MPs. The Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (SVM) are yet to announce their position on this issue, but Belgrade daily Vecernje Novosti writes today that the ruling coalition is not worried about the outcome of the vote. "It's hard to believe that the Hungarian party will have the courage to once again withdraw its support for the ruling coalition (over the budget), because last year they were punished for disobedience of this sort by being thrown out of the (local) government in Subotica," writes this newspaper. Unofficially, the Hungarian parties think the draft is "abysmal", as it once again leaves the province of Vojvodina without the seven-percent cut of the state budget, that is guaranteed to it by the Constitution, says the article. But while SVM are likely to support this draft, they will "probably not give in" when the 2011 budget draft makes it to the agenda, according to the daily. Meanwhile, Diana Dragutinovic told state broadcaster RTS in Belgrade that details of the budget for 2011 will be known on Tuesday or Wednesday, adding that the deficit will amount to 4.1 percent of GDP. The consolidated budget deficit for 2011 will amount to about RSD 140bn and the state's budget deficit will be about RSD 125bn, Dragutinovic said. (Tanjug, file)

MPs set to debate 2010 budget review

Finance Minister Diana Dragutinović said ahead of the session on Tuesday that the budget revision came as agreement was reached during the fourth review of the country's arrangement with the IMF in June of this year.

She also explained that the new deficit would be covered with loans, privatization income and securities.

Opposition parties have criticized the draft, announcing that they would not vote for it. This includes the Liberal-Democrats (LDP), and the government will have to look to ethnic Hungarian parties for support, and if that fails - to a handful of independent MPs.

The Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (SVM) are yet to announce their position on this issue, but Belgrade daily Večernje Novosti writes today that the ruling coalition is not worried about the outcome of the vote.

"It's hard to believe that the Hungarian party will have the courage to once again withdraw its support for the ruling coalition (over the budget), because last year they were punished for disobedience of this sort by being thrown out of the (local) government in Subotica," writes this newspaper.

Unofficially, the Hungarian parties think the draft is "abysmal", as it once again leaves the province of Vojvodina without the seven-percent cut of the state budget, that is guaranteed to it by the Constitution, says the article.

But while SVM are likely to support this draft, they will "probably not give in" when the 2011 budget draft makes it to the agenda, according to the daily.

Meanwhile, Diana Dragutinović told state broadcaster RTS in Belgrade that details of the budget for 2011 will be known on Tuesday or Wednesday, adding that the deficit will amount to 4.1 percent of GDP.

The consolidated budget deficit for 2011 will amount to about RSD 140bn and the state's budget deficit will be about RSD 125bn, Dragutinović said.