BRATISLAVA, June 26, (WEBNOVINY) – There will not be further tightening of belts for sure, stated Prime Minister Iveta Radicova on air of the public-service Slovak Television in the political debate program titled O Pat Minut Dvanast (Five to Twelve) on Sunday noon. Looking back at the first year in government, the prime minister further said that she does not support increasing taxes. She admitted that Slovakia has problems with tax evasions. According to her, increasing taxes would threaten employment growth as well as the growth of real wages. Radicova noted that a high percentage of citizens dissatisfied with the government is related to the fact that a large portion of people expected the government to be formed by “someone else”.
The prime minister reminded on air of the Slovak Television that the government took over the country with a wide deficit in public funds and large debts at all ministries. Another problem was that Brussels did not accept eligibility of costs in some cases of EU funds drawing. “We made a promise to tidy up public funds, to stop the growth of indebtedness, start up employment and prevent unemployment growth,” Radicova reminded the government’s promises given after the parliamentary elections in June 2010. The state began cost cutting in the state and public administration. The state’s spending decreased by seven percent. There is still need to adopt austerity measures, but economic growth has been resumed and employment is on the rise, too, she noted. The growth of real wages is a current problem. The government’s focus is on new investment projects, fighting corruption, changing the Labor Code and improving the business environment. She emphasized that in spite of a weak purchasing power, employment in Slovakia is increasing.
Slovakia’s economic problems are partially tied to problems within the EU, namely the economic crisis in Greece, and the debt of Portugal and Ireland. She reminded that the SaS party confirmed Slovakia’s participation in the temporary bailout fund already a year ago, “so we are a part of this mechanism”.
Radicova went on to say that we have a year and a half to decide upon participation in the permanent euro zone bailout fund, while the decision will be made in parliament. She believes that we should not block other countries who want to be part of the mechanism. For that, the Cabinet’s approval is necessary. “I will try to explain it to my partners, as well as the people that we can never say this will never happen to us,” Radicova added. She emphasized that not only bad management, but also a natural disaster can cause problems. If these problems were not tackled, they would reflect in Slovakia, too, she said.
SITA
