BRATISLAVA, October 16, (WEBNOVINY)- Speaker of Parliament and SaS Chairman Richard Sulik and opposition leader, SMER-SD Chairman Robert Fico discussed the economic situation of the country in a Slovak Radio regular political program “Saturday Dialogues.” Sulik stated that saving measures come into force this year to continue also over next year. He realizes that it would be good to save more on part of government spending than on part of the citizens. However, he thinks that this trend cannot be applied instantly, as previous preparations and analyses are necessary. He however underscored that a government of budgetary responsibility is now in power and not a government of irresponsibility which was wasting money where it could and has brought Slovakia on the Greek path. Sulik underscored that it is not that simple to return from this path. It requires much effort on part of the ruling coalition and also common people will simply feel the impacts in some moments, said Sulik.
Former prime minister Robert Fico however dismissed accusations that his government is responsible for indebtedness of the country and for having got it on the Greek path. He underscored that at the end of June when his government was quitting the country had the highest economic growth of EU states and less than 50 percent was spent from the state budget. The deficit was projected at 7 percent of GDP while the current government surged the figure to 7.8 percent for the first three months. Sulik however gravely opposed Fico and said that the government of Robert Fico planned the 2009 budget with a 6.5 percent economic growth in 2008 when it was already clear that the crisis is about to outburst. However, Slovakia finally posted a 5 percent deficit, which is the point where the story started. Sulik said that at the time of the economic crisis state expenditures probably grew at such high pace as never before. Sulik blamed former finance minister Jan Pociatek that he knew that the economic growth will be lower but he irresponsibly pretended that the economy will not drop and drafted an unrealistic budget, which is the reason, Sulik says that Slovakia witnesses such deficits as never before.
Fico asked Sulik why they hurt the weakest and do not tax banks and insurance companies instead, which Fico believes bear the biggest share of responsibility for the financial and economic crisis. Sulik however does not consider this solution good, as bank houses would surge fees, which would have impacts on people with bank accounts. Fico however opposed that it is possible to set a cap on fees in a law. He argued that the whole Europe is talking about a special tax on banks.
SITA