On Wednesday, Prime Minister-designate, Fathi Bashagha welcomed the Libyan Parliament’s decision to approve his government’s 2022 budget. He said that this “represents a new stage that aims to unify state institutions.”
Bashagha said, in a video speech this evening, that “the approval of the budget means that public money has become safeguarded by the force of the law, and no party, including the government, is able to spend a single dinar except under the budget law.”
He added that this “contributes to the unification of the state’s financial institutions and makes it easier for the supervisory authorities to perform their legal duties. Approving the state’s general budget also lifts a heavy burden on the Central Bank of Libya (CBL), which is the most affected by the lack of a budget.”
During his speech, Bashagha praised the efforts of MP’s and members of the High Council of State (HCS) in reviewing the general draft budget law.
“The Parliament’s decision is a culmination of a collective national effort by the Finance Parliamentary Committee, members of the HCS, the CBL, the Audit Bureau, the Administrative Control and Anti-Corruption Bureau, and a number of national experts,” he added.
Bashagha affirmed his government’s keenness to “be transparent with the people and inform them of all the government’s work. This is so that the Libyan people, in turn, will be able to evaluate its performance negatively and positively.”
He explained that they have “cancelled the emergency clause, as it represents a disgraceful form of corruption and a legal ploy to bypass the regulatory authorities.”
The PM added that all operating expenses were also reduced, noting that Chapter three, was allocated for the state’s priorities in development, stimulating the economy, and involving the private sector.
He also expressed his government’s hope for the success of the constitutional talks currently being held in Cairo. By reaching a consensual foundation, fair and transparent Parliamentary and Presidential elections would be held.
Earlier yesterday, Libya’s Parliament approved a budget for the Bashagha government, despite the incumbent administration’s refusal to step down. This has led to fears that this may accelerate a return to parallel rule.
The Parliament passed the 89.7 billion Libyan dinars ($18.6 billion) budget unanimously, its Spokesman said.
The dispute over control of the government, state revenues, and a political solution to resolve 11 years of violent chaos, threatens to launch Libya back into administrative division and war.