“The budget will be presented in the middle of October, as the law provides, the dates are written clearly enough. We will adhere to the fiscal discipline of the EU, it is important for such a small, open economy like Lithuania to maintain the image of a responsible country, thus managing its borrowing costs. Therefore, we are not planning to let our hair down before the elections”, said G. Skaistė in the program “ELTA Kampas”.
“It seems to me that the budget will be prepared while maintaining the same priorities as it has been until now. It is very important not to be distracted and to strive for the result, increasing people’s income, financing defense and promoting investments in the future of Lithuania,” she noted.
According to G. Skaistė, pensions should grow by 10 percent next year, the minimum monthly salary by 12.5 percent, and defense funding by at least 3 percent. from gross domestic product (GDP).
“Apparently, 3 percent will be provided for defense.” financing. As for the growth of people’s incomes, part of the decisions follow from earlier decisions, it is likely that pensions should grow by about 10 percent. in the coming years, the minimum monthly salary has also been submitted to the Government, about 12.5 percent. (growth – ELTA), reaching 1038 euros,” said the Minister of Finance.
“Certain guidelines are being drawn up, but we will present a specific budget draft after the economic development scenario is updated,” she assured.
One third of the planned tax reform has been implemented
Speaking about the implementation of the tax reform, the politician explained that a third of the solutions provided for in the initial package have already been implemented. She also noted that issues related to tax changes will be included in the work program of the autumn session of the Seimas, so the way for parliamentarians to return to discussions on the reform is open.
“Looking at the general context, from the moment when the tax package was presented, about a third of the decisions have already been adopted in the Seimas. This includes the waiver of certain personal income tax benefits, the introduction of an investment account, the approval of the green excise tax plan (…). The rest is delayed in discussions, we are open to deliberations, if the Seimas so wishes,” explained the conservative.
“The ball is in the hands of the Seimas, those issues will be included in the work program of the autumn session, the way is open. We will see how much political will there will be, especially during the Seimas elections,” she asserted.
Critics of RRF funds do not agree
G. Skaistė also disagrees with the criticism of some politicians regarding the speed of absorption of funds from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). According to her, Lithuania ranks seventh in the EU according to the money received from the RRF fund, and three quarters of the necessary reforms have already been implemented.
“To be able to assess objectively, some numbers are possible – the plan itself is 3.8 billion. EUR, of which 1.35 billion was paid to Lithuania. euros. According to July data, we are in seventh place among EU countries in terms of the percentage of funds received,” said the Minister of Finance.
“I would say the process is going as it is going. We are three-quarters of the way through the necessary reforms that should be accounted for, and we still have two years to complete them. Reforms are never easy and the issues are complex, but by 2026 there is still time before the end, we will be able to finish the works that have been started”, she said.
2024-08-25 12:26:38