In search of a compromise

The budgetary theme was the main and the course of the extended meeting of the Presidiums of the Supreme Council and the government held today in the House of Official Receptions. It was simultaneously initiated by both parties. The meeting was presided over by the President Vadim Krasnoselsky. The President aimed the workshop participants to work out compromise positions on the content of the main financial document of the year, discussing all the pros and cons when making decisions that should be balanced and consistent. In his opening remarks, Vadim Krasnoselsky outlined his own position: you need to live within your means, relying on your own strength. At the same time, the President emphasized that he would support any proposals aimed at improving the living conditions of Pridnestrovians. According to him, we should talk about real opportunities, not about illusions.

The head of the Government, Alexander Martynov, reported on the work conducted by the highest executive body in the preparation of the draft budget for 2019, informed about the results of parliamentary hearings on the budget topic, and outlined the main problems facing public authorities at the moment. According to him, the draft budget reflected a dynamic movement in a number of areas. Alexander Martynov also reported on the submission to the legislative body of the draft state target program for the development of the agro-industrial complex for the next few years, which will require additional funding.

Tatyana Kirova, First Deputy Prime Minister, spoke about the main parameters of the republican budget for the next year. At the same time, she noted that the document worked out by the highest executive authority takes into account the real situation in the economy and the public sector, and real sources of social benefits. The First Deputy Prime Minister paid particular attention to the fulfillment by the state of obligations to citizens regarding the payment of socially protected budget items. It is proposed, in particular, to use a small part of the funds from the Road and Share Funds.

Chairman of the Supreme Council Alexander Shcherba spoke about the results of the analysis of the draft budget 2019, which was held in the committees of the Supreme Council, proposals for optimizing the expenditure side of the main financial document of the year in order to fulfill social obligations to citizens by the state. The President positively assessed the fact that the initiatives of the deputies connected with the increase in expenses are supported by real sources of financing. According to Alexander Shcherba, the parliamentarians proposed a number of real sources of covering additional expenses.

One of the important aspects affecting the budget performance is the rate of the Pridnestrovian ruble. The President drew attention to the lack of grounds today for his change.

The substantive conversation on the budget topic was filled with specific proposals that were expressed by representatives of both branches of government. The ongoing discussion, based on factual and forecast data, later turned around to individual amendments.