Political scientists: Macinka and Okamura's budget attack is a pre-election show

Leaders of the Czech Motorists party (Petr Macinka) and SPD (Tomio Okamura) unexpectedly and sharply criticized the draft state budget for next year, presented on Monday by Finance Minister Alena Schillerová of the ANO movement. According to political scientists, this is more of a pre-election show than a real threat to the governing coalition.

"This is essentially an invitation to the election campaign. Everyone now wants to show voters that they're decisive, principled, and able to negotiate a compromise," said political scientist Jan Kubáček, noting that the governing alliance is temporarily taking a back seat in the battle for votes.

Different voters, different demands

According to Kubáček, SPD and Motorists voters view public finances differently than ANO supporters and are more sensitive to issues of government spending. "The Motorists took votes not only from ODS but also from the Free party and other centre-right parties. And SPD, besides voters with strictly conservative and traditionalist views, also attracts a segment of entrepreneurs," he explained.

Josef Mlejnek, a political scientist at the Faculty of Social Sciences of Charles University, noted that neither the Motorists nor SPD were particularly involved in the budget negotiations, leaving that to the ANO movement. Now, after criticism from voters, the parties are trying to salvage the situation. "It seems they've realized that simply swallowing this and promising improvements next year won't work anymore," Mlejnek added.

Both experts agree on one point: this poses no serious threat to the government. "Most likely, ANO and Finance Minister Schillerová will realize they have coalition partners. Perhaps there will be another round of negotiations and some cuts will be made. I wouldn't expect a government crisis," Mlejnek believes. Kubáček adds: "For the most part, this is a process meant to show that nobody in power is a mere extra. It's certainly not something that could destabilize the government."

From calm to demanding a 20-billion cut

Before the elections, the Motorists promised balanced budgets and pledged to "keep an eye on Babiš." Just a few days ago, party leader Petr Macinka said nothing could be done about the planned deficit and that it would shrink next year. But on Tuesday he changed his tune: "If we don't reach agreement on at least part of our proposals, the Motorists will have real problems approving the budget." According to him, savings could be found in healthcare, social affairs, education, and subsidies.

On Thursday, during talks with ANO, the party put forward demands for budget changes that, by its estimate, could reduce the deficit by 20 billion koruna. After the meeting, Schillerová said she saw room for cuts of only a few billion koruna.

Okamura, for his part, said he too was alarmed by the final size of the deficit. "I absolutely cannot be satisfied with the budget deficit. I think we will spark a discussion about this within the governing coalition, because it can't be brushed aside without serious debate," Okamura said on Tuesday on CNN Prima News. He proposes finding savings in aid to foreigners and support for non-governmental organizations.

Second-largest deficit in the country's history

Finance Minister Schillerová (ANO) presented the draft state budget for next year on Monday, with an estimated deficit of 389 billion koruna. Compared to last year, the deficit will grow by 79 billion, making it the second-largest in Czech history. A larger deficit was recorded only in 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic took its toll. This time, the government is planning such a high deficit during a period of economic growth.

Source: novinky.cz