KDH Slams Budget Agreement, Claiming that Public Finances Aren't under Control

Bratislava, 3 October (TASR) - The opposition Christian Democrats (KDH) have criticised the coalition's budget agreement on the draft 2027 state budget, which forecasts a deficit of 4.94 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), Mario Marcinek from the party's communications department told TASR on Saturday, adding that KDH is of the opinion that public finances are not under control. KDH chairman Milan Majersky emphasises that the recovery of public finances cannot rely solely on placing a further burden on people and businesses, but must be linked to responsible state management and support for economic growth. "Slovakia needs public finances that are sustainable in the long term, but also an economy that is capable of growing and creating jobs. A responsible government must first learn to make savings within its own ranks, carry out the necessary reforms and, at the same time, create the conditions that make it worthwhile for people and businesses to work, do business and invest in Slovakia. We cannot restore public finances by simply passing today's problems on to future governments and future generations," he stated. According to KDH vice-chairman Viliam Karas, the postponement of the abolition of the transaction tax highlights not only the problem with the tax itself, but also the weak negotiating position of the Slovak National Party (SNS) within the governing coalition. On Friday (2 October), the coalition agreed on a state budget with a deficit of 4.94 percent of GDP without raising taxes and levies. am