Finance minister: Austerity package reflects agreement reached by ruling parties

Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura says the draft of the government’s austerity package reflects the political agreement reached by the leaders of the five ruling parties ten days ago. Mr. Stanuja made the statement in response to criticism of selected measures from inside the ruling coalition since its unveiling. Individual ministries have been given until next Monday to respond to the proposal. Stanjura said the government should approve the package by mid-June so that the lower house can start debating it before the summer holidays.