Spain's budget deficit narrowed in April for first time since pandemic hit

[June 01, 2021]  MADRID (Reuters) - The Spanish government's budget deficit narrowed in April for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country, Budget Minister Maria Jesus Montero said on Tuesday.

Spain's Treasury Minister Maria Jesus Montero attends a session at Parliament in Madrid, Spain, February 12, 2019. REUTERS/Juan Medina

Her ministry is due to release the official budget deficit data for April in the coming weeks.

Spain's public deficit, including the central government, social security system and regions, but not including town halls, widened to 1.29% of gross domestic product in the first three months of the year from 0.94% in the first quarter of 2020.

(Reporting by Inti Landauro; Editing by Nathan Allen)

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