Monitor: Kalinak Hints at Possible Finance Consolidation Plan on Monday

(TA3, 'V politike', 24 August) Speaking on TA3's discussion programme 'V politike' (In Politics) on Sunday, chief advisor to the prime minister and MEP Erik Kalinak announced that the consolidation of public finances could be presented in some form on Monday (25 August), but he did not wish to disclose specific measures. House vice-chair and opposition MP (Progressive Slovakia/PS) Martin Dubeci, also on the show, expressed concern that the coalition would “play chess” with VAT rates. „The coalition council is meeting in a very constructive manner. It is even possible that as early as Monday you will see some results, and the consolidation may be presented in some form," Kalinak stated. He rejected suggestions that the measures would include increasing VAT to 25 percent, cutting contributions to the second pension pillar, or raising VAT on basic foodstuffs. Dubeci believes the coalition will manipulate VAT rates. „Even if the maximum rate is not increased, there will be significant shifts of major items from lower to higher rates," he noted. He pointed out that coalition leaders had claimed last year that VAT would not be raised, but it was. The discussion also addressed a reported attack by the Ukrainian army on the Druzhba oil pipeline, which carries oil from Russia to Slovakia. Kalinak criticised the move, accusing Ukraine of using terrorist tactics. He stated that he does not support Ukraine's accession to the European Union unless it begins to “act normally” and respect international law. Dubeci responded that the attack on the pipeline would not have occurred if Russian President Vladimir Putin had not launched a war in Ukraine. He also emphasised the need to diversify energy sources. Another topic was the case of Daniel B. [name abbreviated due to legal reasons], accused of extremist criminal activity, who called on Smer-SD politicians either to distance themselves from him or support him. Kalinak responded that he believes Daniel B. is unjustly in custody. However, he pointed out that the government cannot help him, as it has no tools at its disposal to influence the judiciary. „Unfortunately, we are now witnessing situations where the judiciary, under media pressure and when it suits them, contradicts its own previous decisions and the case law of the European Union,” Kalinak stated. Dubeci rejected these claims, highlighting multiple aggressive and hateful statements made by the accused against doctors, medical professionals and police officers. The politicians also touched on the topic of the government's proposed constitutional amendment, which Parliament is expected to vote on definitively at the September session. Kalinak said that Smer-SD representatives would attempt to negotiate support for the proposal with Igor Dusenko, who is set to become a new MP following the death of Anna Zaborska. Dubeci pointed out that the coalition currently lacks the necessary votes to pass the amendment. „So it is not entirely clear whether it will pass or not,” he added. In addition, Kalinak commented on information from the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV) regarding its analysis of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. He said he respects the findings of the study. „I'll be very glad when it is published and we can look at everything, including the methodology,” he said. However, he criticised the institution’s communication. He announced that the SAV report is going to be published, and the other side will have a chance to respond. “We will find out where the error occurred, who was wrong in the methodology, and the government will make its decisions accordingly,” he explained. Dubeci, in turn, criticised the coalition for spending large sums of money on the vaccine analysis. „Instead of solving real scientific problems at the SAV, they were busy examining whether we’ll turn into corn,” he concluded. mf