Fico: We Live in Two Different Worlds, Slovakia Is Successful in Real One

Bratislava, December 18 (TASR) - In comparison with past years, Slovakia has been experiencing the most successful year in its history from the economic, social and financial points of view, said Smer-SD chairman Robert Fico on TABLET.TV, adding that part of society doesn't perceive these results, however, and is focusing on negatives instead. "I regret what the media and social networks have done with the public and public opinion. We live in two different worlds - on the one hand excellent results, while on the other there is still something of a bad mood," he said, commenting on political developments in 2018. "I regret that hate and various insane ideas are given much more space, and that we aren't telling ourselves that we've achieved something," stated Fico, adding that Slovakia has planned a balanced budget for next year for the first time ever, the state debt is declining, and there's still room for social measures. "We want to look at young families. Let's stretch maternity leave from the existing 34 weeks to an entire year, or let's significantly increase parental benefit," he said, repeating plans voiced at his party's congress. According to him, Smer-SD wants to double old-age pensions at Christmas, greatly reduce VAT on specific goods for young families and introduce a €100 allowance for school supplies when children start school. "In addition, I'm waiting for our coalition partners, who will also probably come up with their own proposals regarding their programmes. We'll respect them because I believe that good relations within the coalition should continue in 2019," said Fico. In response to the Opposition's objection that the balanced budget is only a prognosis that may not be fulfilled, Fico said that reality has been always more positive than forecasts in recent years. Although 2018 has been the most successful in Slovakia's modern history, it's been very difficult politically, especially for Smer-SD. "People were grossly deceived in the spring. An Italian trail was conceived and a direct connection was made between the murder of a journalist [Jan Kuciak] and the Government. It was summed up as if the Government allowed the murder of the journalist and his girlfriend [Martina Kusnirova]. The demonstrations were also about this. If I were twenty years old and somebody poured into my head information that the Government was responsible for the murder of a journalist from morning until evening, I would also go to the square [to protest]," said the Smer-SD chairman. am/df