BUDAPEST, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Hungary's government will discuss a package of fiscal measures next week, but structural reforms of key state sectors are not yet on the table, the chairman of ruling party Fidesz' parliament MPs said on Sunday.
The government is expected to work out an economic program by March 15, which according to media reports should save about 700 billion forints ($3.55 billion) by 2013.
Hungary's markets have firmed this year on hopes that the plan would include spending reforms to expel concerns over the medium-term sustainability of the country's budget.
The budget relies on one-off measures including 'crisis taxes' which run out in 2012.
'The first series of measures do not include that large-scale work which affects reforming local municipalities, the social system, education or health care,' Janos Lazar of Fidesz told the local news television HirTv.
The government has already discussed the economic measures on Friday and is expected to continue that work on Wednesday.
It announced recently that it would freeze spending worth 250 billion forints, equalling almost 1 percent of GDP, in the 2011 budget to create a buffer reserve against potential volatility in European markets.
Lazar said the first series of measures which is already on the table was aimed at improving credibility and meeting the budget deficit target. It includes the buffer reserve and other measures, he said, without elaborating.
'According to my knowledge, the prime minister has made it clear that he will publish (these measures) in February,' he said.
Lazar said the government had not yet discussed reforms in the local government sector, social benefits, education and health care as it was still in consultations with the groups affected.
'The government will discuss these (reforms) in February-March,' he said, adding that the government planned to implement the changes in health care and education in 2012.
($1=197.18 FORINT)
(Reporting by Sandor Peto; Editing by Diane Craft) Keywords: HUNGARY REFORMS/ (sandor.peto@thomsonreuters.com; +36 1 327 4744; Reuters Messaging sandor.peto.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
The government is expected to work out an economic program by March 15, which according to media reports should save about 700 billion forints ($3.55 billion) by 2013.
Hungary's markets have firmed this year on hopes that the plan would include spending reforms to expel concerns over the medium-term sustainability of the country's budget.
The budget relies on one-off measures including 'crisis taxes' which run out in 2012.
'The first series of measures do not include that large-scale work which affects reforming local municipalities, the social system, education or health care,' Janos Lazar of Fidesz told the local news television HirTv.
The government has already discussed the economic measures on Friday and is expected to continue that work on Wednesday.
It announced recently that it would freeze spending worth 250 billion forints, equalling almost 1 percent of GDP, in the 2011 budget to create a buffer reserve against potential volatility in European markets.
Lazar said the first series of measures which is already on the table was aimed at improving credibility and meeting the budget deficit target. It includes the buffer reserve and other measures, he said, without elaborating.
'According to my knowledge, the prime minister has made it clear that he will publish (these measures) in February,' he said.
Lazar said the government had not yet discussed reforms in the local government sector, social benefits, education and health care as it was still in consultations with the groups affected.
'The government will discuss these (reforms) in February-March,' he said, adding that the government planned to implement the changes in health care and education in 2012.
($1=197.18 FORINT)
(Reporting by Sandor Peto; Editing by Diane Craft) Keywords: HUNGARY REFORMS/ (sandor.peto@thomsonreuters.com; +36 1 327 4744; Reuters Messaging sandor.peto.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.