Parliament okays state budget hikes

The income and expenditure sides of this year's state budget will be ratcheted up by about €1.5 billion, as Parliament approved an amendment to the 2022 State Budget Act to this effect on Tuesday. The motion was passed by 94 of the 97 lawmakers present, with the deliberations held via a fast-tracked procedure. Overall state budget incomes and expenditures will both be increased by €1.497 billion. In response to a demand made by the opposition SaS party, the motion also details the planned spending categories. The Labour, Social Affairs and Family Ministry is to receive an additional €207.6 million to cover payments of a 13th pension in November 2022 and an additional €190 million allocated to aid economically vulnerable groups. The Economy Ministry is to receive €900 million to compensate businesses for the effects of soaring energy prices and €200 million to compensate public administration. (TASR)