Ministries and other government institutions seek EUR 1.3 billion worth of extra funding in 2025 budget

RIGA - Latvia's ministries, other central government institutions, as well as independent institutions have submitted funding requests for prioritized needs in 2025 worth EUR 1.292 billion, LETA was told at the Finance Ministry. 

The extra amount sought by independent institutions is EUR 7.5 million, while ministries and other central government institutions are requesting an additional EUR 1.284 billion in Latvia's 2025 budget. 

Meanwhile, funding requests for 2026-2028 total EUR 1.75 billion per annum, including EUR 1.753 billion for 2026, EUR 1.672 billion for 2027, and EUR 1.644 billion for 2028. 

Taking into account Latvia's macroeconomic indicators and fiscal space, the government previously agreed to make security the sole priority for the 2025 national budget and the  budget framework for 2026, 2027 and 2028.

Accordingly, ministries had until June 28 to submit requests for priority activities related to internal and external security. The government will decide on the relevance of the submitted programs and requests for additional funding in August, once tax revenue and fiscal space forecasts have been updated.

Since this year's tax revenue forecasts are lower than budget targets, the availability of additional funding for new government policy priorities will be limited next year, said Finance Minister Arvils Aseradens (New Unity).

The ministries directly responsible for national security, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defense, have submitted budget requests for 2025 amounting to EUR 440 million, and these needs will be considered by the government as a matter of priority, Aseradens said.

"At the same time, it is evident that some ministries have interpreted security matters quite broadly when making their new budget requests. The desire of ministries to develop their sector is understandable, but the reality is quite harsh. That is why we have started budget talks with the ministries on realistic budget possibilities," the finance minister added.

Among the requests from line ministries for 2025, the Ministry of the Interior has requested the largest additional funding, worth EUR 366.9 million. The Ministry of Welfare has requested EUR 184.3 million, while the Ministry of Health is seeking EUR 153.3 million.

Other significant requests were made by the Ministry of Transport - EUR 145.3 million, the Ministry of Agriculture - EUR 114.3 million, the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development - EUR 88.2 million, the Ministry of Climate and Energy - EUR 85.2 million and the Ministry of Defense - EUR 73.3 million.