SLD predicts that budget deficit may be significantly higher next year
Although this year's budget deficit relative to GDP will be the highest
since 1994, next year the budget gap could be even greater, according to
Marek Belka, tipped by many to be the next finance minister. This year's
deficit was originally planned at zl.20.5 billion and was recently revised
to zl.29.1 billion, some 3.9% of GDP. Now Democratic Left Alliance (SLD)
economic expert Marek Borowski says next year's deficit could be as high as
zl.40 billion to zl.50 billion, if the finance minister were to adopt all
the new laws passed by parliament that envisage an increase in budget
spending. The cabinet will discuss next year's budget outline at its meeting
on August 14. However, whatever it decides may well be revised by the new
government formed after the September election. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 19;
Rzeczpospolita, p. B2) T.J.
