The Croatian Parliament adopted the 2012 budget on Friday, projecting expenditures at HRK 118.8 billion (3.4 billion less than last year) and revenues at HRK 108.9 billion (a 1.4% increase over 2011).
Eighty-two members of the ruling coalition and representatives of the ethnic minorities voted in favour, 41 MPs (the HDZ, the HDSSB and the Labour Party) were against, while one abstained.
With the planned revenues and expenditures, the budget deficit was reduced by over HRK 5 billion to HRK 9.9 billion, or 2.8% of GDP.
For this year the government expects a growth rate of 0.8% and an inflation rate of 2.4%.
Before the vote, Parliament Speaker Boris Sprem refused the motion by the strongest opposition party, the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), to ensure the presence of press photographers during the vote. HDZ leader Jadranka Kosor said that their presence would ensure a clear and transparent adoption of the budget.
