Purga says budget talks remain difficult as culture sector faces pressure

Culture Minister Heidy Purga told ERR that negotiations over Estonia’s state budget remain difficult and that the culture sector is under pressure.

She said reducing the budget deficit to 4 percent was a key objective, while ministries were also seeking funding for their areas. Purga said the Ministry of Culture’s priorities in the negotiations included children and young people.

She declined to specify what that priority would involve, saying she would discuss it next Thursday, when the government is expected to have reached agreement on the budget.

Purga also declined to confirm whether the minimum salary for cultural workers would increase. She said many issues remained under discussion and that the full picture would become clear next week.

“We have all stood up for the priorities and needs of our field, so debates are taking place,” Purga said, describing disagreements as a normal part of state budget negotiations.

She added that ministers generally avoid commenting on their areas of the budget before Finance Minister Jürgen Ligi has outlined the overall budget situation and the government’s broader agreements.

On Wednesday, the government announced that its allocation proposal would direct 92.2 million euros in European Union funds to culture, sport and integration. Purga stressed that this was only a proposal and that the money had not yet been received.

According to Purga, the government has agreed on the priorities and amounts for which Estonia will apply for EU funding. Officials will now present the proposals in Europe, with approval expected by the end of the year.