Migal Calls for State-wide Savings, Proposes Merging Ministries

Bratislava, 18 October (TASR) - Restoring public finances requires specific measures and efforts to find savings across the entire state, rather than simply discussing the abolition of selected ministries, Investment and Regional Development Minister Samuel Migal (an independent) stated on Sunday. Migal responded this way to remarks made earlier in the day by Andrej Danko, leader of the coalition Slovak National Party (SNS). "I am glad that Mr. Danko has taken note of the need to save money. Tomas Taraba and I raised this issue before the state budget was approved. Now, however, it's time to discuss concrete steps. If we want to restore public finances, we must look for savings across the entire state," Migal declared. Migal highlighted several proposed measures, including merging ministries. "We will propose merging the Ministry of Investment, Regional Development and Informatization with the Environment Ministry, as well as merging the Sports and Tourism Ministry with the Culture Ministry," he said. He also wants to open a debate on reducing the number of parliamentary vice-chairs, proposing the abolition of two positions. Migal also emphasised the importance of preventing the leakage of public funds and ensuring that they are used efficiently. Speaking on TA3's 'V politike' political talk show on Sunday, SNS leader Danko addressed the possibility of abolishing the Ministry of Investment, Regional Development and Informatization, saying he had no objection to the proposal. He pointed to the need to cut state expenditure. Regarding the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, Danko described it as a ministry of the future, arguing that it had the lowest administrative overheads. mf