Poland’s 2019 budget marries economic growth with social solidarity: PM
PR dla Zagranicy
Grzegorz Siwicki
23.01.2019 15:30
Poland’s 2019 budget balances economic growth with social solidarity, the country’s prime minister said on Wednesday, ahead of a vote in the upper house on the government's spending plans.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki speaks in the upper house of Poland's parliament, the Senate, on Wednesday. Photo: PAP/Rafał Guz
Addressing the Senate, Mateusz Morawiecki said the budget drafted by his conservative government ensured funding for the government’s key social assistance programmes while meeting "all European Union requirements."
He added that the budget was a safe one “for this phase of the business cycle" and that it offered "some reserves, some buffers against a possible slowdown in the euro area, a slowdown in the global economy.”
Morawiecki appealed to senators to vote through the budget, which expects the economy to grow a healthy 3.8 percent next year, with inflation targeted at 2.3 percent.
The budget bill was last week backed by 241 members of the lower house of Poland’s parliament, while 192 voted against, and two abstained.
Finance Minister Teresa Czerwińska said at the time that Poland’s 2019 budget was designed to ensure broad-based, inclusive growth offering equitable opportunities for citizens.
Under the bill approved by MPs in Warsaw last Wednesday, Poland's budget deficit is expected to be no more than PLN 28.5 billion (EUR 6.6 billion, USD 7.6 billion) this year, and the target for the general government deficit is 1.7 percent of GDP.
Government revenue is expected to total PLN 387.6 billion in 2019, with spending set at PLN 416.1 billion.
(gs/pk)
Source: PAP