Polish government's assumptions concerning the increase of its 2013 budget deficit reflect a "realistic" outlook on the economy, with slower growth seen as the main risk for fiscal consolidation, Fitch rating agency wrote in a statement.

The revision is driven by lower growth forecasts rather than a retreat from consolidation, the agency analysts said.

The budget, approved by the government last week, anticipates GDP rising by 2.2% next year, down from a previous forecast of 2.9%. The resulting lower revenue projections mean the planned budget gap is PLN35.6 billion up from an original forecast of PLN32 billion.

The government has therefore dropped its original target of a 2.2% general government deficit next year. It also confirmed a higher forecast for the 2012 deficit of 3.5% of GDP, up from an original target of 3%. The deficit should then "ease slightly" in 2013 according to reported comments by Finance Minister, Jan Vincent Rostowski.

The revisions bring the government's deficit forecasts closer to the agency’s which anticipates that the general government deficit will fall, to about 3.2% of GDP in 2013 from an estimated 3.5% in 2012.