CASTA/PAPIERNICKA, September 13, (WEBNOVINY) – On Monday, the ruling coalition failed to agree upon a joint support of the European rescue funding program in a marathon of talks of all coalition deputies and Cabinet members. They just confirmed that Slovakia will be the last country to decide on the proposed changes to the rescue mechanism. Following the meeting, Prime Minister Iveta Radicova told journalists that Slovakia’s credibility in the eyes of its partners in the EU and the eurozone is very important. According to her, the coalition partners have agreed on the state budget, reform laws, but not on the bailout fund. “We have an agreement to proceed in a way that citizens do not lose even a cent,” Radicova said. She added that she does not expect the SaS to change its position on the bailout fund.
Radicova confirmed that connecting the vote on the bailout fund with a motion of confidence in the government was discussed, too. She stressed that she does not want to take responsibility for political instability. According to Radicova, Greek prime minister has requested a meeting her, too. The meeting should be held in the coming days.
SaS leader Richard Sulik commented that the debate is very difficult. “There is no accord in the coalition. We dedicated attention to the bailout fund almost all day,” he said. There is still enough time for talks until the vote is actually held, he stated.
KDH leader Jan Figel emphasized that the party considers stability of the euro and Slovakia’s credibility an important issue. “Three parties consider it to be a significant issue for the future development of Slovakia. We have offered certain compromises in order to find a common position, which is where we want to arrive. It is a major question of credibility of the state and thus of the government and coalition, too,” Figel added.
At the same time, Radicova stated that they do not want to bother citizens with disputes within the coalition. She added that the ruling parties are working on assignments that have no easy or quick solutions. “Deepening crisis, pressure for consolidation measures, huge pressure on the euro’s stability all exert pressure on our decisions and discussions,” she commented.
The prime minister further reported that the coalition partners agreed that it is their duty to secure maximum political stability and promptly adopt reform laws in order to prevent weakening of Slovakia’s competitiveness. “We have agreed to quickly adopt laws necessary for thorough reforms of the health care, judiciary, pension systems,” she said.
Radicova restated that the state budget is the main law of the year and the main signal of stability in the country. “We must not allow any element of political instability,” she concluded.
SITA