Finance Minister Jürgen Ligi said that coalition negotiations could harm the state's finances. It is also necessary to change the state's budget strategy. Currently, everything is still at the draft stage, and officials cannot do it themselves.
Ligi said that defense costs are rising sharply. It is also necessary to change how European funds are used. This requires a revision of the budget strategy. Everything depends on what is agreed upon in the coalition agreement.
Additional applications for the state budget strategy must be submitted by June 1. Ligi said that additional applications should not be expected. Currently, there is less money, not more. The coalition agreement may change the situation, but new wishes will not arise.
Ligi assessed that the preparation of the state budget strategy is routine. However, flexibility is currently needed because defense costs are rising. The final document will be ready in August or September.
Coalition negotiations are a difficult process. Ligi said that they could be harmful to the state's finances. He hopes that the negotiations will end before June. Currently, it is difficult to maintain a consistent line because the parties argue a lot.