KDH: Bloated Administration Poses Big Challenge, Not Functioning Regions

Bratislava, 18 August (TASR) - Rather than the functioning self-governing regions, which have recently proven their readiness and flexibility as opposed to the "clumsy" state, it is the bloated state administration which poses the biggest challenge, according to the opposition Christian Democrats (KDH) in a statement provided by its communications department to TASR on Monday. KDH was responding to a proposal by the junior coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) aimed at reducing the number of self-governing regions. The Christian Democrats have long been advocating a public administration reform that would go hand in hand with the decentralisation of power, which, according to KDH, needs to be completed. Powers and funding should therefore be devolved to the local government level. "We can see that the state is struggling and that it needs help to be able to focus on its basic functions, such as defence, national interests, foreign affairs, security, etc. But it should not be trying to destroy what is working," emphasised KDH. KHD reiterated that the government is bringing up important issues concerning the functioning of the state without any professional discussion, unaware of how complex this area is. Therefore, as regards important issues faced by the country, KDH is repeatedly urging the government to convene round-table discussions across the entire political spectrum. "Instead, it's coming up with smoke-screens and ill-conceived proposals," warned KDH, adding that the government isn't capable of delivering a decent and expert-based solution in this area, either. At last week's meeting of the coalition council SNS proposed reducing the number of self-governing regions from eight to four. The proposed model would follow Slovakia's historical divisions and create four regions: Bratislava, West, Central and East. According to the party, the reform would generate savings of over €500 million by reducing the number of offices and eliminating redundancy. Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) stated on Friday (15 August) that Smer-SD is prepared to vote in favour of the proposal. He claimed that reducing the number of self-governing regions is one way to save financial resources without jeopardising the functioning of the state. The coalition Voice-SD party is also ready to discuss the proposal, said its chairman Matus Sutaj Estok. jrg/df/mf