'Slovakia' Party Rejects Proposal to Cut Number of Self-Governing Regions

Bratislava, 20 August (TASR) – The opposition 'Slovakia' party on Wednesday voiced its disagreement with the proposal to reduce the number of self-governing regions (VUCs), calling it a "populist outcry" lacking data and analysis. According to MP Julius Jakab ('Slovakia'), this proposal by the Slovak National Party (SNS) is yet another attempt to divert attention from the incompetence and scandals of the current government. "Under the law, the vast majority of funds controlled by the self-governing regions are directed towards financing secondary schools, social service homes, road maintenance and the provision of health care," Jakab pointed out, questioning which areas of regional powers Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) intends to cut. The 'Slovakia' party also sent a message to the governing coalition, stating that if it truly wishes to discuss savings, it should start with itself. As examples, the movement cited eliminating unnecessary ministries, dismissing 30 percent of civil servants, cancelling overpriced contracts and redundant deputy minister posts and reducing the salaries of the prime minister and ministers. SNS proposed during last week’s coalition council session to reduce the number of self-governing regions from eight to four, based on Slovakia's historical territorial structure. The suggested regions would be Bratislava, West, Central, and East. According to the party, the reform would save over €500 million through office reductions and the elimination of duplication. Prime Minister Fico stated that Smer-SD is ready to support the proposal, emphasising that reducing regional units is a means of saving public finances without jeopardising state operations. According to Voice-SD party leader Matus Sutaj Estok, Voice is also prepared to debate the proposal. The plan has been met with disapproval by the Slovak Association of Towns and Villages, the Union of Slovak Cities, and the Slovak Self-governing Regions Association (SK8), as well as several other opposition parties. mf/df