Finance Ministry believes fiscal gap will be covered

The fiscal gap that has been dogging the 2020 state budget is closing, Finance Ministry officials say, arguing that the difference, currently estimated at 500 million euros, will have been bridged by October 15.

According to a top ministry official, "when the creditors' mission chiefs left there was a gap [of about 900 million euros], but additional interventions and discussions have taken place, and we are now convinced there will eventually be no gap."

The ministry estimates that the target for a primary surplus equal to 3.5 percent of gross domestic product will be achieved, although this does not factor in any impact from yesterday's decisions by the Council of State on pensions. The same official avoided questions on that matter, saying the verdicts of the country's highest administrative court have to be studied first and will probably not be included in the...