Finance Ministry Warns Against Speculation on Budget Consolidation Plans

Bratislava, 30 July (TASR) – The Finance Ministry will not comment on any proposals or parameters related to budget consolidation measures, TASR was told by the ministry press department on Wednesday, in reaction to comments made by representatives of the opposition party Progressive Slovakia (PS). The ministry stated it will also refrain from responding to what it calls unnecessary political provocations unless a final agreement has been reached and the measures are officially presented by the government. Until then, the ministry considers the spread of such information to be highly irresponsible towards the people. The ministry emphasised it has repeatedly urged politicians and media outlets to stop spreading unverified and baseless speculation about consolidation efforts, which are often used for political gain. „Today, the Finance Ministry reiterates this appeal. It would also like to remind the public that any information appearing at this time regarding next year’s consolidation measures is purely speculative, as coalition-level negotiations on specific steps are still ongoing,” the ministry stressed. The ministry also noted it has previously announced that legislation concerning consolidation measures should be submitted to the Slovak government for discussion on 20 August 2025, following agreement among coalition parties. „As always, the measures related to next year’s budget will be presented at a press conference, the date of which will be announced in due course,” the ministry added. On Wednesday, Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Simecka and Finance Committee member Stefan Kiss (PS) claimed during a press briefing that Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) is using conspiracy theories about foreign powers’ influence in Slovakia to divert attention from a planned two-percentage-point increase in value-added tax as part of the next phase of consolidation. mf/mcs