Bigger picture in budget battle

This week could be make or break time for our government of national unity (GNU) as it tries to reach a compromise to pass the 2025-2026 budget.

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The original budget – which included a proposal for a two percentage point hike in VAT – was tossed back to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana in March, as the DA and other parties, both inside and outside the GNU, said they would oppose it.

The DA made a lot of hay while that particular political sun was shining by casting itself as a friend of the poor in its opposition to the value-added tax hike.