Basque Country announces crisis budget for 2013

The government of the Autonomous Community of Basque Country approved on Tuesday a crisis budget for 2013 based mostly on spending cuts but whose item reserved to welfare spending will increase.

The government says it will raise 9,316 million euros this year, 10.8 % less than in 2012.

Under the 2013 budget the sum of money reserved to welfare spending will not be reduced. Unemployment programs and programs to fight against social exclusion will not be reduced and won't change from the ones approved in the 2012 budget, according to Basque Premier Iñigo Urkullu.

Amongst government ministries, the big losers are the Lehendakaritza, whose budget has been cut by 36.6%; Environment, 19.7%; and Economic Development, 25.4%; while other budgets will have smaller cuts. Administration and Justice will be slashed by 7.9%, Treasury and Finance by 11.5% and Safety by 10.9%.

The budget reserved for the Health ministry will also be reduced and will have a cut of 4.2%, whereas Education will be slashed by 10.1%.

The budget goes to parliament on Thursday and debates could last weeks.