PAS: LSNS Programme Would Harm Economy and Living Standards
Bratislava, July 13 (TASR) – Some measures included in the programme of the far-right Kotleba-People’s Party Our Slovakia (LSNS) would harm the country economically and lower living standards, Slovak Business Alliance (PAS) executive director Peter Kremsky told TASR on Thursday, adding that the programme lacks a clear concept and is rather a cluster of unrelated points.
“There are several measures that haven’t been put in context, and it isn’t clear where the money for them would be sought and what they would bring. Rather than a tool to support the economy or its development in any direction, it can instead be generally labelled an attempt to catch the voters’ fancy,” stated Kremsky.
The measures include, for example, a lower retirement age, increasing maternity benefits, introducing loans for newlyweds, leaving the European Union, returning to the Slovak koruna, building a strong army and stronger border protection.
“Some measures, such as leaving the EU, returning to the Slovak koruna, etc. would bring economic harm to Slovakia and lower the living standards of its citizens,” stressed Kremsky.
Meanwhile, the alliance is surprised that the party’s programme doesn’t include measures that would save both public and state a great deal of money, such as combating corruption and clientelism, transparent and effective management of the state and its institutions and reductions in red tape and the overblown public apparatus.
“A simply better and more efficiently functioning state would enable reductions in the taxes, levies and fees that mainly burden the public, traders and small firms in Slovakia. This would help to improve living standards and the quality of life mainly for people in economically poorer regions,” explained Kremsky.
According to PAS, LSNS’s programme in its current form would instead lead to a deepening of the state deficit, bigger debts for the state and its citizens, an increase in dependence on banks and economically strong countries and thereby a worsening of living standards.
“This would result in a further brain drain from Slovakia, and it could threaten the sovereignty and independence of Slovakia, as well as the existence of the country itself,” said Kremsky.
The Economic and Social Analysis Institute (INESS) think tank in its analysis stated that if LSNS managed to implement its programme this year, it would result in a public finance deficit of €6.3 billion.
In response, the party claimed that INESS in its analysis took points from LSNS’s programme out of context, while ignoring the timing of the implementation of individual points, their mutual synergy and integrity.
