Government approves draft state budget for 2022

The Czech government on Monday approved the draft state budget for 2022, despite opposition from the junior Social Democratic Party. The draft budget envisages a deficit of 376 billion crowns, with revenues projected at 1 543.3 billion crowns and expenditures at 1 919.9 billion crowns.

The Social Democrats voted against because of a disagreement over the proposed increase in the salaries of civil servants. The budget envisages an increase of 1,400 crowns, per month which the Social Democrats say will barely cover inflation. The party had pushed for an increase of 3,000 crowns a month.

The government is bound to submit the draft budget to Parliament by September 30. However, the Chamber of Deputies will not have time to approve it before the general elections scheduled for October 8-9.