Sutaj Estok: I Understand Budget Must Take Consolidation Into Account

Bratislava, October 15 (TASR) - Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) views the budget realistically and in the context of current options available, TASR learnt on Tuesday. "I don't know any head of any ministry who would be happy. I would like to get more as well, but I understand that the budget is for the period of inevitable consolidation," Sutaj Estok declared after a session of the Government, which passed the next year's state budget. Expenditure earmarked for security and public order are to surpass €2.65 billion. The minister confirmed that the Interior Ministry will have to face the task of slashing its salary costs by 10 percent too. Sutaj Estok added that this will translate into clerk lay-offs. "But not where it's impossible, for instance, I can't imagine doing this to district offices already saddled with the great number of tasks as they are," he warned. Specifics are to be determined by an internal audit. "Based on its results, I believe that we'll be capable of meeting that 10-percent limit," he said. As for the report on the circumstances surrounding the May 15 assassination attempt against Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD), Sutaj Estok noted that it's being drafted by the Slovak Intelligence Service (SIS), he's not familiar with its details and has no access to the investigation file. "The report is to be submitted to Parliament by the end of the year at the very latest," claimed the minister, who hopes that at least a part of it will be declassified for public. When asked about when the new House chair might be elected, a post that has been vacant since the 2024 presidential election in April due to internecine coalition disputes, Sutaj Estok replied that the coalition council is slated to discuss the issue before the parliamentary October session. mf