Rasi: Fewer Regions Could Mean Loss of EU Funds (2)

Bratislava, 20 August (TASR) – Reducing the number of self-governing regions (VUCs) in Slovakia could lead to the loss of EU funds, warned House Chair Richard Rasi and Deputy Interior Minister Michal Kalinak (both from Voice-Social Democracy) in their joint statement released on Wednesday. Rasi and Kalinak underlined that any changes to the VUC system could negatively affect regional development, territorial cooperation and the drawing of EU resources. In their view, a reform of self-governing regions should be carried out only after 2027 to minimise the risk of losing EU funds. Although a reduction in the number of VUCs could contribute to more efficient use of public finances and potentially reduce administrative costs, the two stressed the need for a more comprehensive perspective. "We aren't opposed to rationalisation, provided that there is constructive discussion and careful consideration of all potential impacts, so that the process is not rushed or lacks a systemic approach," stated Rasi. According to Kalinak, a reform of regional self-government must be meticulously prepared in consultation with territorial partners and take effect only as of 2030. "As these changes would be closely tied to how VUCs draw EU funds, we recommend implementing them in the next programme period, after 2027, to ensure continuity and minimise the risk of losing European resources," explained the state secretary. Rasi and Kalinak stressed that a discussion on territorial changes needs to begin now in order to design a system aligned with the formation of a new EU funding agreement. They emphasised the importance of Slovakia being a reliable and predictable partner for the European Commission. Reducing the number of VUCs should also, in their opinion, be part of a broader reform of public administration and the modernisation of local governance. Proposals for the reform are expected this autumn from the Slovak Association of Towns and Villages, the Union of Slovak Cities, and the Slovak Self-governing Regions Association (SK8). The Slovak National Party (SNS) proposed at last week’s coalition council session to reduce the number of self-governing regions from eight to four, arguing it would save over €500 million by cutting offices and eliminating duplication. The senior coalition Smer-SD party, according to its leader and Prime Minister Robert Fico, is ready to vote for such a proposal. Voice-SD chair and Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok said that his party is open to discussions on reducing the number of regions, but only after an expert debate. mf/df