Transnistria's 2013 budget, which was debated and approved in first reading on Thursday by the breakaway region's legislature, expects a deficit almost as big as the projected revenues. In Particular, the budget provides for total revenues of 1.752 billion rubles (equivalent to 2.037 billion lei) and spending of 3.349 billion rubles (3.894 billion lei). The resulting budget deficit stands at 1.596 billion rubles (or 1.855 billion lei). Transnistria's self-styled finance minister Elena Ghirjul said revenues next year are expected to rise by 30% while expenses by only 7.8%. Even if there is a deficit, it will be covered, assured Elena Ghirjul. “The progress of the 2013 budget is evident. We won't have such situations as in the first quarter of this year, when we didn't know how to find money to pay salaries”, said Transnistrian leader Yevgeny Shevchuk. The region's legislature also voted to redirect 22 million rubles (25.5 million lei) initially earmarked for covering public transport expenses for vulnerable groups into the development of Tiraspol's trolleybus fleet.