The government’s budget deficit target of 3.8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) for 2010 is feasible, despite opposition voices claiming it is a risky budget, the government spokesman said on Wednesday.
Domokos Szollar said the biggest threat and risk to the 2010 budget is main opposition Fidesz and its double talk, responding to a report Fidesz leader Viktor Orban had commissioned which criticises the budget, citing its “many fiscal tricks”.
“This report only increases insecurity, which Hungary does not need right now,” Szollar said.
A report published by Fidesz economic experts on Tuesday cited 20 “fiscal tricks” which they said would have a significant impact on the 2010 budget deficit. The report was prepared by the same 29 economists who had asked MPs in November to reject the budget bill. Former central bank governor Zsigmond Jarai, one of the authors of the report, has charged that the 2010 budget underplanned next year’s economic contraction and overplanned tax revenues.
Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai said the report of the 29 economists contained “unrealistic numbers and professionally unfounded claims.” He said that next year’s budget is stable and well-founded and the deficit is tenable “as long as fiscal rigour continued by the next government”.
Head of Orban’s office Peter Szijjarto told MTI on Wednesday that Fidesz maintains its view that the 2010 budget is risky and professionally unstable, containing “hundreds of tricks reminiscent of the Gyurcsany-era”.