News
2016 State Budget Approved by Parliament
The House of Representatives approved the state budget for 2016 by a narrow majority on Thursday 17 December.
The budget forecasts a 1.4% increase in state revenue to €5.9 billion, while total expenditure is estimated to fall by 0.4% to €7.4bn.
The overall budget deficit including other items is projected at just 0.1% of GDP, while the primary surplus (budget balance excluding interest payments) is expected to reach 2.4%.
The House of Representatives approved the balanced spending plan late by 29 votes to 26.
MPs from the ruling centre-right Democratic Rally, centrist opposition Democratic Party and the European Party supported the legislation.
Left-wing AKEL, Socialist EDEK, the Greens, the Citizens’ Alliance and an independent MP voted against the bill.
Overall, the government will have €109m more to spend than last year, owing to savings on loan repayments.
The budget is based on a real GDP growth forecast of more than 1.5% for 2015 and 1.8% for 2016. The primary surplus is expected to help reduce the debt/GDP ratio which reached 106.3% in 2015.