Kalousek: 2012 state budget finished with lower than approved deficit

Finance Minister Miroslav Kalousek announced yesterday that the 2012 state budget finished with a deficit of CZK 101 bln, which is CZK 4 bln less than the approved amount. Kalousek said that this is a message to all those who had claimed that the government would not meet its projected budget deficit. Kalousek attributed the final outcome to austerity measures that were imposed during the year, such as a reduction in welfare benefits.