Monitor: Danko Opposes Cancelling Public Holidays to Save Money

(STVR, 'Sobotne dialogy', 13 September) Speaking on STVR's politics programme 'Sobotne dialogy' (Saturday Dialogues), leader of the Slovak National Party (SNS) and House vice-chair Andrej Danko said he does not support saving money by cancelling public holidays and criticised the abolition of the 6 January public holiday, calling it an unfortunate decision. According to House vice-chair Martin Dubeci (Progressive Slovakia), also on the show, budget consolidation is apparently not a responsibility of the Prime Minister, as it remains a matter of political conflict. Danko stated that the largest budgets each year go to the Ministries of Health, Interior, Defence, Social Affairs, and Education, and that savings should be made there. He added that regional and municipal governments must also tighten their belts. Danko further argued that the state should pursue reforms, particularly in healthcare, and set clear priorities in that sector. He also urged Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) to take a tougher stance on Health Minister Kamil Sasko from Voice-Social Democracy over an ambulance service tender. Dubeci criticised the government for presenting only the part of the consolidation plan that concerns the public, and stated there is no coalition agreement on how the state will save the estimated €1.2 billion. "We still don’t know how it will be fulfilled," he noted, adding that discussions will continue behind-the-scenes. He sees no coherent strategy in the current plan and urged the government to focus on economic growth, claiming that neither the Economy Ministry nor the Finance Ministry has proposed any pro-growth measures. Danko also took potshots at President Peter Pellegrini for his remarks on consolidation. He said Pellegrini had shown no activity over the summer and accused him of securing a budget one-third higher than that of his predecessor. Danko stated he could not support Pellegrini’s "buck-passing" and tendency to blame the government. He added that it is crucial not to bring down Fico’s government. „Because when we push too hard, Fico always says that if we don’t agree, he’ll link the vote to a confidence vote in the government – and the government will fall," the SNS leader said. The discussion touched on the war in Ukraine as well. Dubeci believes that despite the criticisms expressed this week, the Prime Minister will ultimately support the adoption of the 19th sanctions package against Russia. „In the end, he always does what Brussels tells him... Fico tells one story to the domestic audience, but acts differently in Brussels," he remarked. He considers the approval of the sanctions a good move. Danko said Slovakia’s Security Council should have convened in response to Russian drones violating Polish airspace. He reminded that Slovakia has no air defence system. Dubeci said he would request help from allies. mf