Primary budget surplus target was missed in 2018

The official data on the execution of the 2018 budget show a higher deficit and a lower primary surplus compared to the targets the government had set.

This is cause for concern over the course of this year's budget, given the fatigue recorded in the payment of taxes last year, which is expected to continue this year: With a general election looming large, the tendency will be for taxpayers to take a wait-and-see stance while entrepreneurs hold off on their business plans and the state mechanisms carry out fewer inspections.

The 2018 budget shortfalls are certain to grab the attention of the country's creditors, whose representatives are arriving in Athens next Monday for the second post-program inspection, with plenty of issues still open.

According to the data released on Monday by the State General Accounting Office, the 2018 primary budget surplus amounted to...