PS: Pro-Growth Package Needed along with Government's Consolidation Package

Bratislava, 14 August (TASR) - In addition to proposals for further consolidation measures, the government should also present a pro-growth package for restarting Slovakia's economy, with cuts being made on the side of the government rather than the public, opposition Progressive Slovakia MPs Michal Simecka and Stefan Kiss told a press conference on Thursday. "I want to call on the coalition, Prime Minister Robert Fico and Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenicky (both Smer-SD), to come up with a pro-growth package alongside their consolidation package. First, they should consolidate by cutting their own costs as much as possible because this is the most bearable option for the public and its wallets, as well as the economy, and they should have done this a long time ago. Secondly, alongside consolidation, they should introduce measures aimed at kick-starting our economic growth," said Simecka, adding that the Slovak economy is currently heading towards a recession. He criticised the coalition for not presenting any measures aimed at improving public finances to date and said that nobody knows, even in mid-August, what the next consolidation package will look like. Simecka also responded to Statistics Office data showing that gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.4 percent in the second quarter of 2025, noting that this represented a 0.5 percent decline when compared to the first quarter. "Our economy is losing its breath, and it's quite possible that it will slow down to a complete halt, meaning, of course, lower tax revenues and an even worse situation in terms of the upcoming budget," said Simecka. He added that the amount of tax collected is on a downtrend despite the consolidation measures introduced by the government, which means that the consolidation was messed up. According to his information, an increase in VAT and income tax is being discussed as being part of the next package of consolidation measures, along with the changes to the second pension pillar. Kiss called on the government to present its proposals for further consolidation measures and urged it not leave people in suspense until the very last minute. He also criticised Kamenicky for not holding a single press conference in recent weeks about his plans for further consolidation. Meanwhile, PS has already prepared its own measures to improve public finances and the country's development, which it plans to present at the beginning of September. jrg/df/ko