The Czech lower house of parliament approved the 2020 state budget bill in the first of three readings on Wednesday, setting the planned deficit at 40 billion crowns. The central state budget — the major part of the public sector books – is based on expected revenues of 1.58 trillion crowns and spending of 1.62 trillion crowns. The bill has to pass two more readings in the lower chamber of parliament, with the final vote expected in December.
