Opposition to Challenge Fast-tracked Consolidation before Constitutional Court

Bratislava, 17 September (TASR) - The validity of the fast-tracked legislative procedure in discussing the third package of consolidation measures will be challenged by the opposition 'Slovakia' party before the Constitutional Court, MPs Igor Matovic and Julius Jakab (both 'Slovakia') told a press briefing on Wednesday, noting that the opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) and Christian Democrats (KDH) MPs will add their signatures as well. According to Jakab, the 'Slovakia' party will no longer tolerate the current government being unable to manage the budget, while generating the highest debt and deficit among EU countries. Former prime minister Matovic explained that between 2016 and 2019, when Smer-SD party was in power, Slovakia fared badly among EU member states in terms of fiscal performance and ranked 20th or 21st on average. With Matovic at the helm, Slovakia ranked 11th despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and soaring food prices. Last year Slovakia was 24th among EU member countries and this year, by Matovic's calculation, it will rank 24th or 25th. "We managed to finance everything with expenditures at €23.5 billion," Matovič specified, noting that the current government has €10.4 billion more at its disposal, without having to deal with any crises requiring additional funding. In 2022, Slovakia's debt stood at €1.8 billion, but now it's quadrupled under the current government. "The Council for Budget Responsibility, as well as the Finance Ministry and the central bank, say the debt or deficit will be around 5.1 to 5.2 percent, which is €7.2 billion," Matovic added. jrg