Croatia adopts first budget in euros
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Croatia, which will enter the eurozone on Jan 1, passed its first budget in euros on Tuesday (Nov 29), targeting a general deficit of 2.3 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) based on the projection of 0.7 per cent economic growth for 2023.
The budget was adopted with 77 votes in favour and 50 against in the 151-seat Parliament.
“This is Croatia’s first budget denominated in the euro,” Finance Minister Marko Primorac said as he presented the budgetary plans.
“The introduction of the euro will strengthen our economy, it will be an anchor of stability, will make us more resistant and protected from external shocks and crises and will contribute to the improvement of investment climate,” Primorac told lawmakers.
In July, European Union (EU) finance ministers formally approved Croatia – an EU member state since 2013 – becoming the 20th member of the euro common currency at the start of 2023, setting the conversion rate for entry at one euro to 7.53450 Croatian kuna.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said the budget aims to cushion the effects of the Ukrainian war-triggered economic crisis, maintain growth and preserve social stability.