Skopje, 12 August 2024 (MIA) - The Parliament approved Monday afternoon the 2024 budget revision with 67 votes in favor, seven against, and none abstaining.

With the budget revision, total revenues are projected at 318.2 billion denars, which is 2.6 percent more than the initial projections. Total expenditures are projected at 362.8 billion denars, or 5.6 percent more than the initial projections. Capital expenditures are planned at approximately 44.7 billion denars, and the deficit is projected to be 44.7 billion denars, increasing from the initially planned 3.4 percent to 4.9 percent of GDP.

It secures over 4.2 billion denars for salaries, 5.1 billion denars for pensions, 800 million denars for recipients of guaranteed minimum assistance, 1.7 billion denars for health care protection, one billion for TIDZ, 1.7 billion for subsidies in agriculture, 437 million for student meal and 207 million for scholarships, as well as six billion denars for projects in municipalities.

With the budget revision, the economic growth rate has been revised to 2.1 percent from the previously projected 3.4 percent, while the inflation rate is projected to be 3.5 percent.

As Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska Kochoska explained in her speech, the government has also secured funds through reallocation for various commissions, agencies, councils, inspectorates, ministries, municipalities, as well as for the Ombudsman and the anniversary celebration of the Framework Agreement.

Dimitrieska Kochoska assessed the 2024 budget revision as an effort by the new government to guarantee liquidity for the timely servicing of all obligations up to the end of the year, while also ensuring the normal operation of institutions and the progress of projects that are following their planned schedule.

“With the proposed budget revision, we are correcting the oversights made in the initial budget, such as the insufficient allocation of funds for legally mandated rights, funds for servicing due obligations, and funds for supporting the economy. This means ensuring regular payment of salaries, which will be adjusted in accordance with the law in September, ensuring the timely payment of pensions, and fulfilling our election promise for a linear increase in pensions in September, settling outstanding obligations, and not delaying them,” Dimitrieska Kochoska said.

She mentioned that this is necessary for the economy, which will benefit from an additional six billion denars being directed towards local project implementation, alongside the previously announced favorable loan for investments.

“This is one of the ways we aim to support the economy, which, according to the data, had poor results in the first half of the year,” noted Dimitrieska Kochoska.

VMRO-DPMNE MPs reiterated the party's stance, asserting that the budget revision allocates funds for salaries, pensions, student meals and scholarships, agricultural subsidies, municipal support, debt servicing, athletes, and more.

During the general debate at the plenary session, Dimitar Kovachevski addressed the Parliament first, declaring that SDSM and the coalition would not support the budget revision. Meanwhile, MPs from the European Front exited the session after the proposed law to amend the Law on Games of Chance and Amusement Games was removed from the agenda for its first reading.

“SDSM will not delay the debate on the budget rebalancing. Throughout the committee discussion, SDSM and the coalition proposed 58 amendments, none of which were accepted. There are no funds provided for ongoing salary increases or for raising the minimum wage. No resources are allocated for salary hikes in education despite increased budget revenues, nor for covering social protection responsibilities or for enhancing child protection benefits. The budget for the IPARD program, aimed at supporting farmers, and for advance payments of agricultural subsidies has been reduced,” Kovachevski noted.

He also pointed out the new four ministries that, as per the current budget, lack the funds to pay their employees' salaries.

“A new budget for 2025 is being prepared, which will include all government priorities, with a focus on the people and the economy. We will demonstrate the zenith of behavior of the new political elite, for whom citizens and economic development are top priorities. The funds will primarily be allocated for capital investments,” Bojan Stojanoski from VMRO-DPMNE said.

Malisha Stankovikj also spoke, pointing out that the budget and the revision should be distinguished. He also urged all MPs to vote in favor of the budget revision.

Halil Snopche emphasized that no miracles should be expected from the budget revision, but he assessed that this document will certainly serve as the foundation for the 2025 budget.

“The budget revision cannot be considered developmental because the initial budget projection was not developmental. The revision provides all funds required by law, as well as funds for areas not previously covered. There will be resources allocated for public administration employees, students, pensioners, debt servicing, municipalities, farmers, and athletes,” Snopche emphasized, adding that the 2025 budget must be developmental and provide more funds for investment in science and for balanced regional development.

The session, which includes several items in addition to the budget revision, is set to resume Tuesday at 12 pm.

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