2011 comes with severe cuts for most ministries

The draft 2011 budget, whose main challenge is to cut spending by 2.2% of GDP, considering that the budget deficit agreed with the IMF for next year needs to be cut to 4.4% of GDP – is ready, but the date when it will be sent to Parliament for approval is yet unknown. The Government has about three weeks to see the draft budget through Parliament, considering that members of the Legislative arm are to go on holiday before the winter holidays. Next year will see more money go to the Labour, Environment, Agriculture, and Transportation Ministries, while fund cuts affect other ministries. The Health Ministry loses money compared with the preliminary 2010 execution, but the minister says the amount allocated is in fact 8% higher than the original 2010 allocation (the additional amounts were set aside this year for the payment of arrears).