Thanks to rigorous control over primary expenditure(1)
, resources have been released in the 2008 budget for priority policy areas.
Apart from security, development cooperation and mobility, particular
attention is accorded to energy and the environment.
The government has effectively increased the budget
for the "Kyoto Fund", which finances the federal policy for reducing
greenhouse gas emissions, and for FEDESCO, which pre-funds eco-energy
investment in federal public services, via the third-party investor system.
In addition, a specific sum is being allocated for forecasts relating to
security of energy supply to be carried out.
The new government also wants to encourage
ecologically responsible behaviour, both by private individuals and
companies, notably by offering tax incentives.
(1) The real growth of
general government primary expenditure excluding ageing-related
spending, is limited to 1.4% (in budget terms), that is, a much lower
rate of growth than that forecast for economic activity. The fight
against tax and social security fraud is also being stepped up in order
to generate extra revenue.
