BRATISLAVA, August 3, (WEBNOVINY) – Six priorities of the new government toward improving the life in Slovakia were presented by Prime Minister Iveta Radicova to deputies, ministers, and the Slovak President in Parliament on Tuesday. “One: healthy and sustainable economic performance of the state. Two: zero tolerance to corruption and securing access to justice. Three: sufficiency of work opportunities, which reduce social risks. Four: motivating business environment and active civil society. Five: educated people and an innovative society. And six: access to quality medical care,” stated Radicova in her introduction of the new government program statement in the House. The Parliament opened the debate on the program document on Tuesday afternoon.
The prime minister further emphasized in her address the restoration of trust in the relationship between the citizens and the government. “Trust, not fake symbols and gestures, are an inevitable condition for patriotism and pride for our country,” she said. According to her, the next four years will be marked with dealings of the negative impacts of the crisis and the deteriorated situations of the citizens. “Today, we are not discussing prepared solutions but just stocks of unpaid bills,” Radicova remarked. She admitted that the former government of Robert Fico achieved certain success, but it was also a period of wasted chances, “which Slovakia had as a country with started reforms and firm imbedding in the EU”. The prime minister went on to say that during the previous term, a number of social problems and negative tendencies deepened. “Therefore, we want to start all over on the Cabinet level,” she declared and rejected politicking that leads nowhere. “Our citizens have to be sure that when they honestly work and study, take care of their relatives, pay taxes, respect laws, and behave politely to others, the state and society will provide them conditions for a dignified and quality life. To those, who for various reasons find themselves in difficult life circumstances, we have to display solidarity so that they can live fine without worrying about their future,” she announced.
Radicova also stated that politicians may not benefit from privileges granted without a reason, including a widely-defined deputy immunity from the prosecution and severance payment. The need to fight against corruption and cronyism was underscored. “Scroungers will not hide behind a name of a large supranational corporation or a deputy seat. They will be pushed out where they belong: to the edge of the society or behind bars,” Radicova concluded.
SITA
