Cyprus's parliament approves 2018 state budget by small majority

NICOSIA, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Cyprus's parliament approved the 2018 state budget by a slim majority, parliamentary sources said on Wednesday.

Parliament Speaker Demetris Syllouris announced at the end of a roll call after a three-day debate that 30 deputies voted for the budget and 26 against in the 56-seat chamber.

The outcome of the debate was uncertain until the last moment, when center opposition Democratic Party (DIKO) announced that its nine deputies would vote in favor of the budget.

DIKO president Nicolas Papadopoulos, who is contesting the presidential elections in January, is running an electoral campaign against incumbent President Nicos Anastasiades, who is seeking a second term.

Three deputies of the small opposition Solidarity Movement party added their support to the budget.

The deputies of opposition left wing AKEL party, socialist EDEK party, Citizens Alliance, extreme right wing ELAM and an independent deputy cast negative votes.

The budget for 2018 provides for 7.53 billion euros in expenditure and 7.72 billion euros in revenue.

Finance Minister Harris Georgiades, expressed his satisfaction at the outcome of the vote and praised the deputies' for dealing with the budget in a responsible manner. (1 euro = 1.18 U.S. dollars) Enditem