MPs back record half-trillion budget deficit

The Czech lower house has approved a budget deficit of CZK 500 billion for 2020, which is the highest gap on record. It is the third time MPs have voted to increase the budget deficit since the start of the coronavirus crisis. The original figure envisaged by the state was CZK 40 billion. Later votes raised that sum to CZK 200 billion and then CZK 300 billion.

Prior to Wednesday’s vote the minister of finance, Alena Schillerová, said she hoped it would be the last such move this year.