PS: Fico Trying to Cover Up Planned VAT Hikes with Conspiracy Theories

Bratislava, July 30 (TASR) - By using conspiracies about foreign powers influencing Slovakia, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) is trying to cover up a planned increase in value-added tax (VAT) by 2 percentage points during another round of consolidation, opposition Progressive Slovakia party leader Michal Simecka and House finance and budget committee member Stefan Kiss stated at a press briefing on Wednesday. "Further conspiracies, fabrications and attempts to divert attention are set to continue in the weeks to come, such as foreign interference, perhaps a coup d'état or, once again, a discussion on two genders. However, the purpose of all of this is to allow the Fico-led government to cover up what it's had up its sleeve for us. And, as we've come to know, there will be another increase in VAT and additional price hikes. We're talking about this because we fear that our economy and people will not be able to bear another VAT increase and the resulting hikes in the prices of goods and services," said Simecka. "According to our information, they are planning to increase VAT again, this time by 2 percentage points, so people had better get their wallets ready again. With Fico's high prices continuing in this way, we're talking high prices on steroids. They've been inspired by and are planning to follow Hungary’s path once again, with the highest VAT, including the transaction tax, just like in Hungary. They seem very happy copying all of this from Hungary, but one of the lowest labour tax rates can also be seen in Hungary," Kiss emphasised. PS urged the finance minister to start the recovery of Slovakia's public finances primarily by introducing cost-saving measures without dampening the economy via high prices when increasing VAT and other taxes. "The government should finally introduce at least some measures to help kick-start Slovakia's economy," Kiss added. jrg/df/ko