Parliamentary Economics Committee Begins Discussion on 2015 Budget

The Parliament's Economic Affairs Committee began discussion on the new state budget for 2015 on Tuesday. The discussion is expected to conclude by Thursday evening, and the budget introduced to the plenum on December 3, with discussion expected to be completed by December 7, when it will be put to the vote by roll call.

The budget, which foresees a primary surplus of 3.0 pct of GDP (5.6 billion euros) and a growth rate of 2.9 pct, was tabled in Parliament on November 21.

It will be the first balanced budged on the general government's deficit, while unemployment is projected to fall to 22.6 pct from 24.8 pct this year. In 2014, the primary surplus will surpass a goal of 1.5 pct to rise to 1.8 pct, while the economy will return to positive growth rates for the first time after six years of contraction.