06/03/2019 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 6 March, the European Commission considered that the new draft budget plan for 2019 presented by the Latvian authorities was compliant with the rules of the preventive arm of the Stability and Growth Pact. This Commission opinion echoes the updated draft budget plan submitted by Latvia on 19 February last year, after the new government took office in January, following the parliamentary elections of 6 October last year. According to data provided by Latvia and analysed by the Institution, Latvia's structural deficit is expected to decrease by 0.1 percentage point of GDP this year, with the Council of the EU’s recommendation from 13 July last year calling for a structural effort of 0.2 percentage point of GDP. This results in an expected structural deficit “marginally above” the target objective for the Commission and, therefore, a budget that is broadly consistent with Latvia’s budgetary commitments. (LT)