BRATISLAVA, October 14, (WEBNOVINY) — The former governing coalition has not yet agreed on how the ongoing, twenty-fourth parliamentary session in this election terms would continue. According to deputy for the MOST-HID party Ivan Svejna, whether the draft state budget for next year, which the outgoing Cabinet approved, will get the support of lawmakers depends on the SaS party keeping its promise. Svejna said this after the meeting of leaders of the three coalition parties with a reference to the SaS leader Richard Sulik.
Head of MOST-HID deputy caucus Laszlo Solymos said that approving the budget for next year is a priority. “Let’s see Monday,” Solymos said, explaining that the meeting with former coalition partner SaS will show whether the draft state budget will have enough support.
The problem, however, is that the draft state budget counts on implementing the tax and payroll levy reform, as well as a so-called tax mix to finance local self-governments instead of a share of personal income tax, which is currently uncertain. According to Solymos, to approve the tax and levy reform and failure to complete it due to lack of time would be irresponsible.
Agriculture Minister Zsolt Simon is not afraid of a provisional budget. “We can safeguard the deficit; this would probably be a more rational and responsible solution,” he opines. He stressed that the current situation is the price for the collapse of the government by SaS votes.
The future of other reforms is uncertain, too. Solymos does not see positively the fate of other deputy drafts, such as cancellation of deputy immunity in minor offenses, Meciar’s amnesties, or revision to the law on the state language. Kamil Krnac (SaS) will most probably not be elected to the post of head of the National Security Office, Solymos added.
The neoliberal SaS party that brought down the government in Slovakia this week will support the draft state budget for next year, but will voice proposals for changes. SaS leader Richard Sulik told journalists on Friday that after incorporation of their proposals, the party will support the bill. He did not specify what changes the neoliberal party will want to push forward. “SaS is a responsible and constructive party. We will for sure not resort to some malicious tricks,” Sulik remarked.
The SaS leader and recently dismissed speaker of parliament will insist that cancellation of deputy immunity for minor offenses is debated at the ongoing parliamentary session, too. “Our coalition partners wanted it, too, so if their word is valid, immunity should be canceled. It was an important election promise, not from our side. I will definitely demand this and voters deserve it,” he noted. On the other hand, Sulik does not condition the support for the draft state budget upon the cancellation of immunity. The issue of immunity is on the agenda of the ongoing session, but due to the dissolution of the ruling coalition, drafts that are to be actually discussed are being revaluated.
SITA