Zeman: Periods of economic growth should see budget surplus

Addressing lawmakers in the lower house on Wednesday, President Miloš Zeman said that in the time of economic growth the state budget should see a surplus. He made the statement ahead of the debate on the government’s draft budget for 2017, which is counting on a deficit of 60 billion crowns (the equivalent of around 2.22 billion euros). The head of state has backed the proposal and had praise for the handling of the budget this year; he suggested the government look for additional cost-saving measures in the areas of subsidies for renewables and some social benefits.

Author: Jan Velinger