Czech parliament to open budget debate on Thursday

PRAGUE, Oct 24 (Reuters) - The lower house of the Czech parliament will open debate on the 2007 draft budget on Thursday morning, one day later than originally expected, the parliament's press office said.

The spending plan targets a deficit of 91.3 billion crowns ($4 billion) and falls short of any fundamental fiscal reforms that private economists say are needed to rein in a burgeoning budget deficit and prepare for euro adoption.

The press office did not say why the debate is being delayed.

The minority rightist government needs to win support from opposition parties to pass the draft budget in the first of three readings.

But Finance Minister Vlastimil Tlusty sounded hopeful on Tuesday that the budget could clear its first parliamentary hurdle after receiving hints from three opposition parties about their possible support.

((For FACTBOX on budget forecasts and the process and timeline of approving a budget draft, double click on [ID:nL16534799]))

((Reporting by Marek Petrus and Jan Korselt; Editing by Gerrard Raven; Reuters Messaging: rm://marek.petrus.reuters.com@reuters.net; e-mail: prague.newsroom@reuters.com or marek.petrus@reuters.com; Tel: +420 224 190 477)) ($1=22.57 Czech Crown)

Keywords: ECONOMY CZECH BUDGET VOTE