The Government delays the Budget debate as the legislative recess approaches

The bill with which the validity of the 2025 General State Budget (PGE) must be validated has been “sleeping” since October 30 in the Legislative Assembly. Legislators from the Planning Commission of the Chamber of Deputies, the entity that must approve in the first instance the project before sending it to the plenary session, the receipt stamps showed yesterday.

In addition, the Minister of Economy, Marcelo Montenegro, excused himself from explaining the scope of Ley Financial to the deputies of the Planning Commission due to their “heavy agenda”; The session was postponed to this Friday, while the formal deadlines expire and the break for the end of the year holidays approaches.

Deputy José Luis Porcel, from the Citizen Community (CC), questioned the management of the process and anticipated that the Government’s strategy is to validate the regulations through a decree at the end of 60 days.

“They made him sleep the entire month of November and only yesterday (Monday) did they let us know. It is a very important budget that contains income, expenses, investments and debts, and It merits the presence of the minister for explanations and clarifications. We hope that on Friday the debate will resume with your participation,” said the legislator, who is an economist by profession.

“They said the minister is very busy and cannot attend. So we said, well, president (of the Commission), check with the minister when he can come. We will be here, it may be this afternoon, tonight, tomorrow, what do I know. “They consulted with the minister and the minister told them that it will only be there on Friday at eight in the morning.”, said Porcel, who is part of the Planning Commission.

Earlier, deputy Gustavo Aliaga (CC) considered that the times are really “tight”, because after the debate in the Commission it must go to the plenary session, something that could happen next week. If the budget is approved it is approved there, it still has to happen to the Senate committee and from there to the plenary session. “The recess may begin on December 15 and we will not be able to reach it,” said.

For his part, the rector of the Gabriel René Moreno Autonomous University (Uagrm), Vicente Cuéllar, denounced yesterday a “smuggled” debt for $US 4.4 billion along with the Budget and accused the Government of seeking to modify laws in a hidden way.

“Not meeting is being an accomplice of the Government. Debt must be dealt with in a separate session, as established by the Constitution. “This would mortgage the future of the country.”warned Cuéllar, who also asked to avoid a legislative recess. In this context, yesterday he sent a letter for legislators to debate this regulation.

In accordance with the transitional provisions of the PGE 2025, the Central Bank is authorized to obtain loans or public debt to solve Expenditures for food security programs planned for 2025.

The representative of the Movement towards Socialism (MAS) Deysi Choque, loyal to the government of President Luis Arce, rejected the accusations of delay and assured that the process is within the deadlines.

“A fourth intermission was agreed to ensure that the minister is present defending the project. This is a general budget of the State, not a credit bill. “We are coordinating with the Central Bank and other sectors to address the observations,” explained Choque.

However, there is more criticism that does not cease. The acting governor of Santa Cruz, Mario Aguilera questioned the distribution of resources and the lack of inclusion of the regions in budget planning, while the Chamber of Industry, Commerce, Services and Tourism (Cainco) of Santa Cruz described the economic model reflected in the PGE as “exhausted.” ” and warned about its unsustainability.

The PGE 2025 projects growth of 3.51%, inflation of 7.5% and a fiscal deficit of -9.2% of GDP. With Bs 296,566 million, it is 11.7% higher than 2023. Experts point out that high public spending, subsidies and growing external debt risk stability.

Deadlines
The budget is a special law that can come into force if it is not debated for a period of 60 days in the Plurinational Legislative Assembly (ALP).

Transitional provisions
This year, the project came with seven annexed provisions that give more power to the Central Bank to contract debt and cut the beneficiaries of the Renta Dignidad.