[b]RZ: Doesn’t the huge budget deficit planned for the next year of nearly PLN 65 billion damage the credibility of Poland in the world? [/b]
Janusz Lewandowski: From the point of view of the government the strategy aimed at increasing of the deficit in order to secure the state expenses is right. But it is impossible to avoid the negative consequences of such a measure that in total will be borne by the minister of finance. Since the beginning of this year the minister has ensured that there will be no increase of the deficit. Such action has been aimed at creation of the image of Poland being a credible and trustworthy country to the investors and a country resistant to the crisis. And this aim has been achieved. We are perceived as the only country with the positive economic growth rate. However, we must remember that many issues were hidden in this year’s budget, as a result of which, the deficit will grow very impressively next year, which does not seem to be credible at all.
[b]Do you believe in the minister’s assurances that the huge deficit will not be a threat to us?[/b]
I must believe that this is true. It is better to choose the lesser of the two evils and focus on acceleration of privatisation rather than try to get higher budgetary revenue by increasing taxes. I think that this way we will be able to survive the bad times until the moment the neighbouring countries start to recover and need our export. Credibility of our bonds is supported by the positive GDP and relatively low deficit in comparison with the other countries in the world.
[b]When will we be able to reduce the deficit below 3% of the GDP?[/b]
