The three-day parliamentary debate on the 2024 state budget, the first budget proposed by Nikos Christodoulides' government, commences today (18/12) at 4:00 PM. It is expected to be endorsed by the Members of Parliament from DISY, DIKO, EDEK, and DIPA.

During today's opening session, the Chair of the Parliamentary Economic Committee, Christiana Erotokritou, will provide a concise overview of the committee's report on the budget, highlighting its key aspects. This will be followed by speeches from the leaders of the parliamentary parties.

Per the schedule, Charalambos Theopemptou, representing the Greens, will be the first to take the stage. He will be followed by Marios Karoyan for DIPA, Marinos Sizopoulos for EDEK, Nikolas Papadopoulos for DIKO, Stefanos Stefanou for AKEL, and Annita Dimitriou for DISY.

Theopemptou, Karoyan, and Sizopoulos, are each allocated up to 30 minutes, while Papadopoulos, Stefanou, and Dimitriou have 40 minutes each.

The discussion will continue tomorrow, Tuesday (19/12), and the day after, Wednesday (20/12), featuring speeches from representatives of all parties. It will conclude on Wednesday evening with the voting on the amendments and subsequently the 2024 budget.

The 2024 state budget, as initially submitted to the Parliament, anticipates expenses (both regular and developmental) totaling €8.699.935.388, marking an 8% increase compared to the initially planned and approved expenses of the 2023 budget (excluding additional budgets for 2023).

According to the report from the Parliamentary Economic Committee (attached in its entirety), the total expenses projected in the 2024 budget amount to €13.040.753.138, including the Permanent Fund's expenses (€4.340.817.750), which do not require legislative approval. The same budget also forecasts revenues of €11.284.384.493 (including financial flows), compared to €9.766.857.012 (initially budgeted for 2023).

Furthermore, the report reveals divergent views among committee members regarding the 2024 budget. Some members believe the budget is balanced, maintaining fiscal stability and fostering sustainable development in key economic sectors while enhancing social cohesion.

Conversely, other committee members argue that the proposed budget fails to promote a fairer economic development model and substantial reinforcement of the social state. They emphasize that it does not adequately address the needs of the middle and lower classes, vulnerable population groups, and small and medium-sized enterprises, nor does it tackle challenges related to the cost of living, the energy crisis, and high interest rates.