Babiš: Budget deficit must be passed under accelerated process

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš says it will be a major problem if the Chamber of Deputies does not debate a CZK 500 billion budget deficit for 2020 under what is known as legislative emergency. The lower house Budget Committee on Tuesday recommended that MPs discuss the planned budget deficit outside of this temporary arrangement, which allows for faster approval of legislation.

Mr. Babiš said if the committee’s recommendation were followed this would be a decision against Czech citizens. His cabinet are seeking support for what would be the largest ever Czech budget deficit across all parties, he said.

The government originally envisaged a budget deficit for this year of CZK 40 billion. Since the coronavirus crisis hit, MPs have already voted to increase that figure to CZK 300 billion.