The parliament continues to examine the budget law proposal for fiscal year 2008 introduced by the government on Tuesday. Many lawmakers have voiced their concerns about the proposal with two key camps emerging from the debates.

One camp thinks that the budget plans are reasonable when taking into account the current economic and political situation of the country, the other camp thinks that the government should go back to the drawing board, and that the law should be rejected by lawmakers because it does not address many key issues affecting the population.

The head of the MSR parliamentary group, Mr. Mulisho, called the proposed budget "anti-social" and urged lawmakers to amend the law. He said that the new government chaired by Prime Minister Gizenga "would be unable to come up with an appropriate budget proposal even if it were given another six months". He added that "it is time to debate the contracts signed by the government with our Chinese partners".

Other lawmakers called the budget proposal "unrealistic" and pointed, for example, to the 5% allocated to the health sector.

Prime Minister Antoine Gizenga is set to appear on Saturday before lawmakers to respond to their concerns.