Premier: There's Need to Stress That Financial Consolidation Was Essential

Bratislava, October 3 (TASR) - The entire political spectrum agreed that consolidation was essential, and there's a need to stress this, as it is the opposition that is fully responsible for the condition of public finances, Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) told a news conference held jointly with leaders of the other coalition parties on Thursday. "In 2020, the coalition comprised of Smer-SD, the Slovak National Party (SNS) and Most-Hid handed over public finances in an excellent condition. Then came the years 2020 to 2023, during which three governments took turns, one worse than the other, with billions thrown on medical aids and vaccines without any controls," stated Fico. According to Fico, the current government has transferred a significant portion of costs to corporate entities, although this also came with a VAT increase to a level of 23 percent. However, the VAT rate on food and medicines is being reduced to 5 percent, he stressed. After the approval of the consolidation package, the government will now need to hold talks on the 2025 state budget. "Two big challenges, namely how we will deal with local governments and energy prices, are ahead of us before we approve the state budget. We've prepared a proposal for protecting Slovak households in the same way as we did in previous years. I believe that we'll find a common solution. Then we'll start negotiating the budget," explained the premier. Voice-SD leader Matus Sutaj Estok stated that the consolidation package is as socially fair as possible in terms of pensioners, families with children and the protection of the second pension pillar. "We'll do our best to protect people against increases in energy prices and to help local governments," said Sutaj Estok, adding that a debate on the demands made by doctors and nurses will take place as well. According to SNS leader Andrej Danko, the consolidation plan contains social as well as investment dimensions. "I was the initiator of a focus on incomes from tourism in the government, as it could reach more than 10 percent," he stressed. ko/df