Towards a Budget for a "New Spring"

Malta should be living through a "new spring" according to the government's post-electoral slogan. Yet there are different interpretations to the current financial and economic situation of the country.

The government's Budget for 2004 was presented on Monday, November 24th 2003. It is the first Budget for the new Nationalist Administration which was returned to power in the General Elections of April 12th. It is also the last Budget drawn before Malta joins the European Union on May 1st 2004.

Will the government announce an increase in the rate of Value Added Tax? How will the Minister of Finance tackle the increasing public deficit and debt? Will the health system go through a health check and be reformed? Is Malta on the right track to adopt the single European currency?

These and other questions circulated before budget day were answered clearly in the Budget 2004 Speech on Monday November 24th.

Once again, MaltaMedia is bringing you highlights from the build-up to the Finance Minister's speech in Parliament as well as reactions from across the country, in the aftermath of Budget Day. The budget speech in its entirity is available in the links below. You can also discuss this year's budget on the MaltaMedia Forum.