Parliament debates state budget for 2008

The Chamber of Deputies of the Czech parliament is debating the draft of the state budget for 2008. The coalition parties suggested on Wednesday an increase of one billion crowns, or more than 55 million US dollars, to the budget of the Education Ministry. Opposition MPs as well as teachers’ labour unions claim the increase is not sufficient, and will not prevent a pending strike by primary and secondary school teacher planned for December 4. The final vote on the state budged, with a deficit of 71 billion crowns, or almost 4 billion US dollars, is expected to take place next week.