President Wants to Meet PM and Finance Minister before Signing Consolidation

(STVR, 'Sobotne dialogy', 27 September) Speaking on STVR's politics programme 'Sobotne dialogy' (Saturday Dialogues), President Peter Pellegrini said that he will want to meet with Premier Robert Fico and Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenicky (both Smer-SD) before he signs the consolidation package. The president said he will ask them how they see the country's economic and financial situation in the future. "This is such a complex amendment that has come to the palace. This time, I would welcome and will request meeting with the premier and the finance minister before its signing," said Pellegirni, adding that he will want from them a more comprehensive explanation of why they chose just this mix of measures. According to the president, no consolidation is nice, it is difficult and painful for everyone affected by it. However, it's up to the government what mix of measures it prepares to achieve the goal, he said. If the economy grows at a slower [than expected] pace or even stagnates, an even bigger consolidation package will be needed over time, stated Pellegrini, adding that he's unable to imagine that. The president also pointed out that the government hasn't yet presented a summary of how the state will save on itself. He declared that he will closely monitor what path it chooses, whether it will, for example, save on health or education, or rather on defence spending. ko