Fico Rejects Claims of VAT Hike in Upcoming Fiscal Consolidation

Bratislava, 30 July (TASR) – Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has rejected claims that the government plans to increase value-added tax (VAT) as part of its fiscal consolidation, TASR learnt on Wednesday from Fico's video posted on social media in response to statements by the opposition party Progressive Slovakia (PS). „Instead of admitting who was paid by the British government and for what activities, they come with accusations that I am responsible for the content of the agreement between the United States and the (European) Union on tariffs, or that we intend to raise VAT as part of consolidation. None of this is true," the Prime Minister said. PS claimed at a Wednesday press conference that Fico is using conspiracy theories about foreign influence in Slovakia to divert attention from a planned two-percentage-point VAT increase in the next phase of consolidation. The Finance Ministry responded that it won't comment prematurely on any proposals or parameters of consolidation measures. It also refused to react to what it described as unnecessary political attempts, at least until there is a definitive agreement on the measures and they are officially presented by the government. mf/mcs