With the start of the Saeima's work on the state budget for the next year, tensions between the parties of the ruling coalition do not subside. Statements from government politicians about each other indicate that the approval of this year's budget will not be a simple formality, concluded in the program 'de facto'.
Sharp moments arose a couple of weeks ago after the decision of the Union of Greens and Farmers (UGF) to join the parliamentary opposition on the issue of repealing the Istanbul Convention. There are also other prerequisites for adopting a completely unpredictable budget. Disagreements in the government regarding the Istanbul Convention, combined with the UGF's blatant desire to achieve further adjustments to the already drafted budget, do not rule out a possible collusion between the UGF and the opposition.
"The budget will be a very good indicator," said Minister of Economics Viktor Valainis (UGF) when asked whether the government would last another year until the next elections.
On Wednesday, a symbolic transfer of the budget portfolio from the Ministry of Finance to the Saeima took place. The state budget deficit next year will be 3.3% of the gross domestic product. Minister of Finance Arvils Ašeradens ("New Unity") explains such a large deficit by the rapid increase in security expenditures. The Fiscal Discipline Council criticizes the state for finding funds for defense primarily through debt rather than through spending cuts. None of the factions in the Saeima openly expressed a desire to increase the deficit. On the contrary, calls for savings are becoming more frequent. The Budget Commission also plans to study the expenditures of institutions more deeply. The UGF is currently talking more about cutting expenses, for example, in independent institutions, but coalition partners expect that new expenditures will also be considered, such as reducing VAT on pork, which the government has failed to achieve.
Deputy Chairman of the UGF faction Augusts Brigmanis believes that it would be a responsible step to support the budget. He considers it unacceptable to promote proposals with the votes of the opposition. Brigmanis also urges not to link the budget with the Istanbul Convention, which the UGF is now trying to repeal together with the opposition.
"Our voters, members of our party absolutely do not crave for us to be in a coalition with such a composition. Therefore, this does not create any problems for us. There will be no coalition, there will be another. But I still urge our coalition partners to behave responsibly and not to link these issues together," notes Brigmanis. Leader of the "Progressives" faction Andris Šuvajev believes that the adoption of the budget, the denunciation of the Istanbul Convention, and the alternative declaration against violence prepared by the UGF together with the opposition, which was supported by the majority of the Saeima on Thursday, should be viewed in context.
"We are still in a situation where the UGF has violated fundamental promises. I believe that they cannot be trusted on budget issues. We are still in a situation where the lack of sharp and active actions from 'New Unity' against such violations of the coalition agreement has created a situation in which the UGF feels extremely strong. And I think this will also reflect on the budget," predicts Šuvajev.
Chairman of the 'New Unity' faction Edmunds Jurevičs admits that mutual trust between coalition parties has been undermined, however, there is an agreement that before submitting new proposals for the budget, they must first be discussed with partners.
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