PS: Losses of Local Authorities Reach over €327 mn since Cabinet Took Office

Bratislava, November 7 (TASR) - The total losses of local authorities have exceeded €327 million since the current government took office, MPs for the opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party stated at a press conference on Thursday, adding that local authorities have no other choice but to obtain the missing funds from the population by raising taxes and fees. "These losses in the first year or two of Robert Fico's (Smer-SD) cabinet attacks the level caused by Igor Matovic ('Slovakia' party) during the same period of his government. And this doesn't even take into account the impact of the senseless transaction tax. These total losses will be paid for by none other than the people. Local authorities have no other way to look for the missing resources," said PS MP Marek Lackovic. The lawmaker pointed out that the new transaction tax will significantly affect municipalities and towns several times. It will be paid by all legal organisations of municipalities. According to Lackovic, the transaction tax will also be reflected in the prices of all services ordered by municipalities and towns, especially for construction works. The increase in the value added tax (VAT) will also make all construction works, materials, energy, as well as services used by towns and municipalities more expensive, stated MP Jana Hanuliakova (PS). "According to the data of SK8 [Self-governing Regions Association], only the regions will lose about €40-50 million, while the total impact on local authorities will be about €180 million. Higher VAT will also make the services that towns provide to residents more expensive, including [public transport] tickets," she noted. am/mcs