If the opposition, which now has a majority in the Sejm, were to seize the opportunity to form a government in October-November, it would have a greater influence on next year’s budget, PAP Ryszard Petru, who from the third day came to the Sejm. Waylist in the October elections.
At the end of September, the cabinet adopted the draft budget for 2024. It was assumed that state revenues would amount to PLN 684.5 billion, and the expenditure limit of the state budget was set at PLN 849.3 billion. This means that the budget deficit will not exceed PLN 164.8 billion. The press release from the Prime Minister’s Chancellery indicated that the budget was prepared on the assumption that real GDP growth next year would be 3% and inflation 6.6%. average per year.
Will we face higher inflation?
According to Ryszard Petru, there are fears that inflation levels will be higher next year due to the fact that “among other things, we have underestimated inflation.” fuel prices.
When asked whether he believed that the draft state budget for 2024 would be adopted at the end of this year, he replied that “if the opposition, which now has a majority in the Sejm, would take over the possibility of forming a government as early as October – In November, this would have a greater impact on next year’s budget. If this were to happen at the latest possible date, this budget will obviously have to depend on the functioning of the state in the first months of the year,” he added.
When asked whether the assumptions of this project would allow the implementation of socio-economic programs, the politician replied that there would certainly be no significant changes in next year’s budget “due to the fact that power will ultimately be held by the opposition taken over”. from this year.”.
In practice, we will not be able to make any substantive changes to the budget in the first few months
– added.
He also recalled that the opposition had certain slogans for the elections and would like to implement them.
More than 800 will be implemented next year
– added.
Ryszard Petru said it is important to heal public finances.
Consolidate first. We have a huge debt outside the budget, in special funds that need to be consolidated.
He added that this is a challenge for several good months. “This is the basis, because if it is possible to combine the state budget with these funds, it may turn out that the cost of servicing debts can be significantly reduced.” He emphasized that this is the most important saving that can be achieved in a very short time.
We are talking about an amount of 10 to 15 billion złoty, through consolidation and focus on convergence. These are two basic directions that will allow significant savings on debt burdens, which in turn will give the budget breathing space in the coming months.
– he said.
He also pointed to funds from the National Reconstruction Plan.
I would not like to announce the dates now, because they depend on when the government will be formed and what the attitude of the President will be, but I am deeply convinced that the KPO funds can reach Poland relatively quickly.
– he said.
He added that they would increase the level of investment, support lower inflation and, what’s more, put Poland on the path of economic growth.
Ryszard Petru added that the data published by the Ministry of Finance a few days ago, “unfortunately after the elections”, indicate a very slow increase in budget revenues this year and a very rapid increase in expenditures.
This deficit may therefore be higher than assumed in the amendment to the Budget Act
– he said.
Liberals and the left. Fire and water?
Ryszard Petru was also asked how he thought cooperation with the left would go.
Both the Third Way and the Left emphasize the need to invest in areas such as education and healthcare. First, we need to heal Poland’s economy and finances
– he pointed out.
I have always emphasized that it will take twelve months to heal the Polish economy and finances. I am convinced that we will find a compromise with the left and it is a matter of which solutions to introduce and when.
He noted that the key will also be to diagnose the budgetary and financial situation of the state, because “he fears, as recently published data from the Ministry of Finance shows, that it could be even worse than the government has stated.”
gah/PAP
Source: wPolityce