BRATISLAVA, September 11, (WEBNOVINY) – The situation in the ruling coalition is serious, according to Finance Minister Ivan Miklos. He is hopeful that the stand-off will be overcome at the Monday’s talks in Casta-Papiernicka. The minister says that the bundle of problems is a complex. Should the coalition fail to attain agreement upon corresponding solutions, he cannot imagine how it would continue ruling, Miklos remarked in the STV’s political program „O 5 Minut 12“ on Sunday. Key topics of the meeting are the reform of social and health insurance contributions, the increase in the EFSF and the drug reform, according to the fiscal hawk in the Iveta Radicova Cabinet.
The minister admitted that the bailout vote could be connected with a no-confidence vote in the Cabinet. “We have not talked about it in the party yet,” he noted. The coalition party SaS is opposed to the suggested increase in the lending capacity of the EFSF. The liberal party argues that the extension of the program will bring about inappropriately high costs. Miklos, however, counters that SaS is misleading the citizens when it says that Slovakia can select from among solutions with and without ensuing costs. The minister is convinced that the final costs will be much higher unless the EFSF grows. What is more, economic arguments are not as important as political and geopolitical arguments amidst the current status quo. “Indirect costs could be almost fatal,” he warned. KDH legislator Anton Marcincin opines that Slovakia’s attitude to this issue will determine the country’s position in Europe for the next ten to twenty years. Both Miklos and Marcincin are hopeful that they will win SaS‘ support on Monday.
The decision of SMER-SD not to vote in favor of the bailout increase unless coalition reaches an agreement on the issue is a legitimate attitude of an opposition party, the Finance Minister admitted. Peter Kazimir of SMER-SD said to the decision that the Cabinet is obliged to secure support for a step it pledged in Brussels.
The three politicians share the opinion that the second tranche of bailout funds for Greece must be separated from the increase in the EFSF. “It is about the euro, not about Greece,” Marcincin highlighted. Miklos stated that the decision on potential loans from the increased IFSF would be made on a case-by-case basis. The ability to repay liabilities will be the core criterion. Kazimir augured ill for Greece, adding that the involved parties are running out of patience.
SITA