Babiš: Government should approve budget Wednesday after last-minute talks

The minister of finance, Andrej Babiš, says he expects the coalition government to approve next year’s budget on Wednesday. Mr. Babiš said he would discuss outstanding questions at a meeting of government leaders prior to a cabinet session. The ANO chief told reporters on Tuesday that the budget deficit for 2017 should remain at CZK 60 billion. Mr. Babiš said agreement still had to reached with the Ministry of the Interior, which is controlled by the Social Democrats and is seeking extra funding for the police to combat terrorism, and the Ministry of Regional Development, which is controlled by his party.

Author: Ian Willoughby