Skopje, 16 December 2021 (MIA) – Parliament on Thursday adopted the 2022 budget with 63 MPs voting in favor, 36 against and none in abstention in the 120-seat Parliament. Total revenues are planned at 238.9 billion denars – 30.9% of the GDP. Expenditures are defined at 272.4 billion, up by 1.4% compared to 2021. Deficit is planned at 33.5 billion denars – 4.3% of the GDP, down by 2.2 percentage points compared to the estimated deficit in 2021. The budget envisages 37.8 billion denars for capital investments next year, up 27% compared to 2021. The so called “golden rule in finances” has been observed, meaning the budgetary deficit is lower that capital expenditures. According to Finance Minister Fatmir Besimi, the budget provides uninterrupted financing of the main functions of the country, ensures acceleration of the economic growth and support for reforms in the judiciary and those as part of the EU integration process. “The budget is aimed at resuming the protection of public health, recovering the economy, fiscal consolidation and uninterrupted financing of the main functions of the country. The budget’s policies are based on strategic documents, including the reform-oriented program in coordination with the EU, the Economic Growth Acceleration Plan, the fiscal sustainability plan and the investment plan,” Besimi said in his closing address in Parliament. Before adopting next year’s budget, MPs discussed the bill in the past five day during which ruling and opposition lawmakers came at odds. Ruling MPs argued that the 2022 budget is designed to better address the energy and health crisis, whereas opposition MPs criticized the bill saying it is unrealistic containing numerous capital investments that won’t be implemented.