Simecka: President's Signature under Consolidation Package Big Disappointment

Bratislava, October 18 (TASR) - By signing the package of measures to consolidate public finances sponsored by the governing coalition, President Peter Pellegrini has signed under Fico's increased prices, opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party Michal Simecka stated in response to the head of state's decision on Friday, adding that it is a great disappointment for him. "We all know, not only because the opposition says so, but economists, various professional associations, trade unionists, employers' unions also stated that this consolidation package will harm people, is senseless, anti-social and will be strangling our economy," said Simecka, noting that the government, instead of going down the path of austerity, has shifted the burden of consolidation onto the people through higher taxes and consequently higher prices. The president decided to sign the consolidation package on Friday because the government found a compromise solution on the issue of salary increases for health-care workers. He also signed the introduction of a new transaction tax. However, he urged the cabinet to consider amending potential unintended negative impacts of this tax by next April, when the law will come into force. am/mcs