House approves 2025 budget, with nod from Disy

The ruling coalition partners and the main opposition Democratic Rally (DISY) approved the Christodoulides administration’s second budget, that foresees a 3.25% increase in expenses and 4.1% higher revenues.

In all, 37 of the 55 deputies present after a three-day debate, approved the budget, with opposition AKEL voting against, as did the Greens and two independents, Alexandra Attalides and socialist Kostis Eftsathiou.

The total budget for 2025 is set at expenses of €9.4 bln and revenues at €11.75 bln. However, adjusted for the government’s fixed expenses, that do not require legislative approval, the state permanent fund spending will reach €3.53 bln, pushing the overall expenditure to €12.93 bln.

Direct taxes are expected to increase by 4.9% to €3.92 bln, indirect taxes will be up 5.6% to €4.56 bln, while non-tax state revenues are expected to rise by a whopping 10.3% to €1.83 bln.

Finance Minister Makis Keravnos called it a “balanced budget” that also saw 38 of the 86 amendments approved by parliament.

The two opposition parties, DISY and AKEL, agreed to disagree, but were in unison in their criticism of the government and ruling coalition parties of being non-productive and abuse of authority.

“We behaved with the seriousness and responsibility that befits our party. And we paid the price. We were accused of turning a blind eye. I was personally accused of being apolitical. Our party was accused of being a so-called coalition government,” said Disy leader and House Speaker Annita Dimitriou.

“The Christodoulides government has failed in the exercise of its duties, and on the other hand, DISY criticises the government, but at the same time supports it on many issues,” said AKEL General Secretary Stephanos Stephanou.

“The absurdity does not stop there. The coalition parties are playing the role of the opposition,” he said and described the situation as “a global originality.”