It forecasts revenues of 6,045 billion, and expenditures of 6,649 billion
The deputies DISY, DIKO and Solidarity voted positively, while the deputies AKEL, EDEK, Citizens' Alliance, Ecologists and ELAM voted negatively
With 28 votes in favor and 25 against, the State Budget for 2017 was passed into law yesterday. The present MPs of the DISY, DIKO and Solidarity parties voted in favor, while the present MPs of the AKEL, EDEK, Citizens' Alliance and EKOLM voted against.
It is noted that the State Budget of 2017 provides revenues of 6 billion and expenditures of 045 billion, while the expenditures for the repayment of loans are excluded from the expenditures. Before the Budget was put to a vote, amendments were passed for cuts and cross-funds.
Against EDEK
EDEK President Marinos Sizopoulos, justifying EDEK's vote, said his party was voting against because it had an accounting budget in front of it, adding that "it is outside the party's political philosophy and reproduces the same symptoms."
He clarified that EDEK is voting against the Budget, except for the funds of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, which it is voting in favor of. He also said that he is voting in favor of all cross-funds and will abstain from all amendments, except for the amendments tabled by EDEK.
The Citizens' Alliance voted against
The President of the Citizens' Alliance, George Lillikas, stated that his party is voting against the budget, except for the funds of the Ministries of Health and Defense and the funds of the Ministry of Labor, which are related to social benefits, adding that his party is voting for the funds for refugees.
ELAM only voted for the Defense funds
For his part, ELAM President Christos Christou said that the Front is voting against the Budget outside the funds for Defense.
Sixty amendments
After the vote, the Parliamentary Representative of AKEL George Loukaidis noted the absence of the Ministers during the discussion and voting of the Budget, and especially of the Minister of Finance.
DISY President Averof Neophytou replied that the Minister of Finance, during his speech in the Plenary, informed the Legislature that during the voting he will be absent from the Plenary Hall due to Eurogroup. The amendments of the parties to the State Budget were around 60 and concerned cuts, crossings and informing the Parliament about disbursements.
Crossings of funds
The Plenary Session with 35 votes in favor, 16 against (present DISY MPs) and 2 abstentions from EDEK cut 10% of the operating expenses of the state, with the exception of the expenses for the purchase of water, medicines and other medical supplies, and the purchase of scientific services examination of police evidence by the Institute of Neurology and Genetics.
With 36 votes in favor and 16 votes in favor of the present DISY MPs, the plenary session of the Parliament crucified the budget of 450.000 euros for the repair of the state roof of Latsia, for the purpose of relocating the Social Services Office.
The budget made available to the Minister of Interior to cover the social needs of disadvantaged citizens, to subsidize the operating expenses of associations and to subsidize the publication of information leaflets of the Religious Groups was also unanimously approved.
With 36 votes in favor and 16 votes of the present DISY MPs, the plenary session of the Parliament crossed the 3,5 million budget for the improvement of Tseriou Street in Strovolos and Tseri and the main street of the community. With the same proportion of votes, he crossed the line concerning the Financial Council, in order to inform the Finance Committee about the Planning of the year, before the disbursement is made.
With the votes of the present MPs of DISY against, the amount of 58.930.498 euros for the student sponsorship and the student allowances and other actions of support of the students was crucified. The Parliament unanimously appropriated the funds available to the Ministries of Agriculture, Trade, Labor, Education, Transport and Health for the purpose of subsidizing events and other projects.
It also unanimously crossed the 3,5m budget for the purchase of new vehicles for state officials and the purchase of vehicles to meet the needs of the public service. It was unanimously noted that the Finance Committee be informed every six months about the expenses related to medical care in Cyprus, amounting to 13.831.200 euros and the treatment plan for Cypriots abroad amounting to 12.500.000 euros.
The note for information of the Finance Committee, every six months, regarding the expenses of the Ministry of Commerce for participation in Exhibitions, which amounts to 2.844.000 euros, was unanimously voted in favor.
The conferences were "crucified"
With 37 votes in favor and 16 votes of the AKEL MPs against, a budget of 1.309.310 euros was crossed for conferences, seminars and other events, of which 985.000 euros are intended for training and scholarships in the field of hydrocarbons.
Stavros was also put by a majority in the 2 million budget intended to cover expenses for the organization of the annual general meeting of the governors of the European Bank for Reconstruction, which will take place in 2017 in Nicosia.
A majority of 10% was cut from the budget of KYSATS to reduce the remuneration of the President, Vice President and its 5 members. The fund of the Certification Body was cut by 10% for a reduction in the remuneration of the President, Vice President and the members of the Body, by a majority. Also with two votes against (Ecologists) 10% was cut for staff training, seminars and other events for all Ministries, independent services and offices.
One million for autonomy and GESS
With 51 votes in favor and 2 against, the budget of 3.160.000 euros for cultural benefits was crossed. Stavros also entered the fund of 401.000 euros for services of experts and consultants. Expenditure on Consulting and Expert Services for privatization and privatization of public bodies and state-owned enterprises was also cut by a majority, and the remaining funds were cut.
The fund of 1.000.000 for reorganization and autonomy of the hospitals in the context of the promotion of GESS was also crossed.
The amount of 1.900.000 euros for sponsorships from the Ministry of Health to associations that volunteer to health-related organizations was also crossed. With 25 votes against the DISY and DIKO parties and the 28 votes of the MPs of the other parties, 10% of the performance allowance is deducted, as well as 10% of the hospitality allowance. The amount of 1 million for the project rent was unanimously crossed instead of a foreclosure, which concerns the interest rate subsidy for non-performing loans.
A cross with a majority of 51 to 2 against was set at 1,3 million for repairs to the buildings of the Republic of Cyprus abroad, as well as the budget of 2.030.000 euros for the purchase of security and communication systems in the public service and diplomatic missions and the replacement of the communication system of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The amount of 300.000 euros for the purchase of consulting services and the purchase of operational support services for the management and support of IT projects was also crossed.
Source: SigmaLive