Questão número 638555

Read the text below in order to answer questions 14 to 16.

THE BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2000

Most analysts believe that the budget for the year 2000 presented by the government is feasible, but many points used to design the budget depend on negotiations with Congress. "If first impressions are confirmed, the budget corresponds to reality", says former Central Bank President Affonso Celso Pastore. According to the Chief Economist for Citibank, the budget is feasible but not easy to accomplish.

Specialists say that the government would have to reduce monthly expenses immediately until the end of the year from R$ 3.5 billion to R$ 2.87 billion, which would correspond to a 20% reduction. "It's quite a tight budget", said former Minister Maílson da Nóbrega. The main problem is that state employees' salaries have been raised and an extra R$ 3.1 billion will have to be paid next year.

Analysts predict

• A.

  a necessary cut in the public expenditure

• B.

  a further increase in state employees' salaries

• C.

  a considerable surplus for the public sector

• D.

  a substantial change in the fiscal responsibility law

• E.

  a huge technological investment