Slovakia backs eurozone fiscal union proposal

Slovakia is prepared to support a proposal by France and Germany to establish a eurozone fiscal union, which would involve stricter control of national budgets as well as a harsher system of sanctions for countries that run up high national debts. The new plan, intended to stabilise the eurozone, is to be agreed at an EU leaders’ summit which will take place on Friday, December 9, the Sme daily reported.

Slovakia is prepared to support a proposal by France and Germany to establish a eurozone fiscal union, which would involve stricter control of national budgets as well as a harsher system of sanctions for countries that run up high national debts. The new plan, intended to stabilise the eurozone, is to be agreed at an EU leaders’ summit which will take place on Friday, December 9, the Sme daily reported.

The proposal would mean making changes to the Lisbon Treaty, and was proposed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicholas Sarkozy. It includes the possibility of abolishing an individual country’s right of veto, and replacing it with a system in which only 85 percent of the votes of EU member states would be required. While Slovakia’s governing Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ) and the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) parties, as well as the opposition Smer party, support the changes, the governing Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party and the opposition Slovak National Party (SNS) want a referendum on the issue.

SaS explained that it is trying to prevent Slovakia’s sovereignty from being restricted via the proposal to apply stricter budgetary rules in EU member states, the TASR newswire reported. The party would like a referendum on the issue to be held on the same day as the forthcoming parliamentary elections, i.e. March 10, 2012.

“We believe that the setting up of a fiscal union and abolition of the right of veto would lead to the curtailment of our sovereignty and independence,” said party chair Richard Sulík, as quoted by TASR.

The SNS added that it would not back changes to the Lisbon treaty.

“The moustachioed guy could not conquer Europe back in the 1930s and 1940s with tanks and cannons but it looks like Mrs Merkel might manage it without a single shot,” said the SNS leader Ján Slota, as quoted by TASR.

The idea of a referendum was also supported by independent MP and chair of the Ordinary People faction Igor Matovič, who said it was necessary because by ratifying changes to the Lisbon treaty Slovakia would be giving up some of its national powers.

Sources: Sme, TASR

Compiled by Radka Minarechová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.

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