Record budget surplus

The Czech Republic has recorded the highest budget surplus in its modern history. The Finance Ministry reported a budget surplus of 25.8 billion crowns / 873 million euros/ in the first nine months of this year, the best result since the country's independence in 1993. Finance Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said the performance was a result of the government's careful spending and increased tax receipts, notably because of a crackdown on the grey market.