He believes that the government should stimulate economic growth next year and decide on wages for public sector employees.
“It is very difficult to make any assessments when you have not seen the bill in its full version. We will be able speak about and discuss specific issues once we get the full version of the bill. However, we would ask about wages, in particular in those public institutions which pay the minimum monthly wages to people now. We want to know more about these lines, whether there will be any increase next year or not. We understand perfectly well that the expenditures are growing for all households,” Butkevičius said in an interview to the Lithuanian Radio on Wednesday.
He expressed concern about the situation in the euro zone.
“I am somewhat concerned about the recovery of the euro zone countries. There are concerns that current financial problems may continue in the euro zone countries next year and no solution can be envisaged so far. External factors may also affect our economy,” Butkevičius said.
The government approved the 2013 budget bill on Tuesday and will hand it over to the Seimas (parliament) to debate. However, the new parliament and the government are expected to review the bill.
With the first round of general elections complete, the Social Democratic Party ranks second with 18.38 percent of the vote and 15 parliamentary seats. Butkevičius won a mandate in a single-mandate district.
Three parties, which are in opposition now, i.e. the Labour Party, the Social Democratic Party, and the Order and Justice Party, have already launched talks on forming the ruling coalition.
