Smaller parties within the Czech governing coalition are voicing concerns regarding the proposed 2024 budget, specifically its substantial 389 billion crown deficit. Motorist and SPD parties seek further savings during discussions with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. While some government members defend the budget as an investment driver, former Finance Minister Ivan Pilný points out that only 290 billion of the deficit supports investments, with the remainder allocated to mandatory expenditures. Ex-Prime Minister Petr Nečas argues against such a large fiscal stimulus, predicting increased national debt. Pavel Mertlík, a former finance minister now teaching economics, added that only a portion of capital expenditures qualify as genuine investment. The debate was moderated by Lukáš Dolanský.