According to the Prime Minister, there are several meetings scheduled for this week to discuss the state budget for 2021. The aim is to agree and accept the basis of the budget in the government next week.
The government aims to earmark additional funding in the 2021 state budget so that it can raise the pay of medics, teachers, as well as higher education teachers to the previously promised extent, said Kariņš.
“I will not advance a budget without full funding to raise medical salaries,” added Kariņš.
The Prime Minister said that, in his opinion, the coalition had mostly agreed on the 2021 budget, but there are details on which unanimity should be reached.
Raivis Dzintars, leader of National Alliance, also said about 95% of the budget has been agreed on. He revealed that the most heated discussion with the Prime Minister and Finance Minister is currently on family support measures. A number of possible support measures have been evaluated, but the most financially-taxing measure would be the reform of the family state aid system. When asked whether these changes should take effect as early as next year, Dzintars said that this was a matter of discussion.
