PS and KDH: Gov't Motion to Hike Financing of Local Authorities to Fall Short(2)

Bratislava, October 8 (TASR) - The coalition proposal to complete the financing of local and regional authorities comes too late and is inadequate, representatives of opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) declared on Tuesday in response to the announced financial aid worth €50 million and the decision to write off debts to the tune of €20 million. MP Marek Lackovic (PS) warned that the aid scheme won't stop the worsening in the quality of life for inhabitants of towns and villages, and won't address this year's cut in the local and regional authorities' income. "The motion doesn't cover cuts in the proceeds from the income tax collection over the first nine months of this year. The local authorities lost €88 million, whereas the government is promising them only €70 million," stated Lackovic, adding that the scheme also fails to address the situation in the next year. If implemented, the upshot of the government-sponsored proposal will be that small villages might fall below their critical threshold. "And those don't have any further means of saving money," said Lackovic. The announced financial aid is seen as insufficient also by the opposition Christian Democrats (KDH). "Local authorities will lack about €100 million this year," warned KDH, adding that the expanding duties for the local and regional authorities without adequate financial backing will only exacerbate the situation. "The local and regional authorities cannot function without systemic measures because not only do they lack finances for ordinary operations and services, they cannot even plan their activities or their development, which can come to a complete standstill as a result," added KDH, which urged the government to restore the financing to appropriate levels and make measures to decentralise the local authorities. mf/mcs