Monitor: Remisova Calls Draft Budget Disastrous

(STVR, 'O 5 minut 12', 11 October) Speaking on STVR's discussion programme 'O 5 minut 12' (Five Minutes to Twelve) on Sunday, opposition MP Veronika Remisova ('Slovakia'-'For the People' caucus) said the 2027 draft budget is disastrous and could be called a budget of decay. Also on the show, MEP Milan Uhrik (extra-parliamentary Republic party) criticised the draft budget, stating that it had not been prepared in a professional manner. "This budget is rather disastrous, it's a budget of decay," said Remisova, pointing out that Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) is taking an 'against everyone' approach, as the draft budget had been criticised by representatives of employees and employers, trade unions, local governments, the Supreme Audit Office (NKU) and the Council for Budget Responsibility. She also opposed Fico's statements that the budget was designed to benefit the people, while also criticising Slovakia's projected debt, which is going to reach a record-high level. Uhrik said the state budget proposal was prepared without public debate and has a record-high deficit, while he also described it as "squandering funds before elections". Uhrik supports fiscal consolidation, but he believes that the burden should be borne by the state, not the people. According to Remisova, the problem is that the prime minister is "driving" investors out of the country, with young people also leaving Slovakia. She is not against economic migration where it addresses labour shortages, preferably involving people from countries with similar cultural backgrounds. She criticised the chaos surrounding the transaction tax, which should be abolished. Remisova said the money can be found to keep the thirteenth pension in place. Uhrik also pointed to a lack of economic solutions, including for young people. He agrees with economic migration only up to a certain limit, arguing that a large number of legal migrants might alter the country's cultural character. He described the transaction tax as a fiasco. While he wouldn't abolish the thirteenth pension, he called for a targeted approach. Regarding EU funds, Uhrik said that Slovakia should draw down everything that's available to it from the EU, while Remisova believes that the government negotiated highly disadvantageous terms. The two politicians also touched on the freedom of artistic expression, concurring that there should be certain limits. Remisova said that statues mocking politicians should not be placed on the premises of the European Parliament or other institutions, adding that the statue of US President Donald Trump should be removed. Uhrik said that with such a statue placed in the European Parliament, constructive negotiations cannot be expected. jrg