Bolivia’s legislature urges speedy approval of reformed budget before recess

The Bolivian Chamber of Deputies postponed consideration of the restructured General State Budget (PGE) until July, prompting worries about delays in the country’s economic planning. Deputies from the ruling coalition, led by Democratic Christian Party lawmaker Claudia Bilbao, acknowledged the slowdown and called for rapid approval before the parliamentary recess. Bilbao criticized the work of legislative committees, warned that the lag could complicate next‑year planning and clash with the Annual Operational Program (POA), and questioned Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza over the delayed submission of the project. She also highlighted ongoing credit authorizations without proper coordination, arguing that this weakens public management. The deputy urged her colleagues to assume greater responsibility and expedite the PGE’s passage to avoid further administrative difficulties.