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The central budget had a nearly HUF 1.842 tln deficit and the social insurance funds were HUF 441.8 bln in the red, but the separate state funds had a surplus of HUF 13.3 bln.

The deficit has swelled this year because of pandemic defense spending, economic stimulus, and pre-financing for European Union-funded projects.

The ministry said spending on medical equipment necessary for pandemic defense came to HUF 581.4 bln by the end of September.

Payouts for European Union-funded projects reached HUF almost 1.501 tln, while transfers from Brussels came to just HUF 909.4 bln.

The government has been pre-financing EU-funded projects for years to avoid backups and ensure all available monies are used up.