European Union countries differ when it comes to the issue of helping financially troubled Greece, the Sme daily reported. Germany plans to help the country through its state development bank rather than with public funds. A majority of German citizens would not help Greece, arguing that the country has lied about the economic results. The French are more willing to help.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said that his government was reluctant to help, Sme wrote on its website. Moreover, the Prime Minister said that any loan to Greece must be conditioned with the Greek public authorities limiting social benefits that cannot be covered from state coffers anymore.
Fico added that Slovakia would support the EU aid for Greece but it would send it only after the June general election in Slovakia. Thus, the loan issue has become a part of the election campaign. Slovak political parties differ on this issue and most of them do not have unambiguous opinions.
The Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) support the loan; the Hungarian Coalition Party (SMK) also does but points to more countries being in the same kind of trouble; newly formed Most-Híd party is positive about it, but with some objections; the SaS (Freedom and Solidarity) is against the loan as well as the Slovak National Party (SNS). Smer is for the Greek loan but with some reservations while it is difficult to know the position of the Movement for Democratic Slovakia (HZDS), Sme wrote. HZDS said it would support anything that strengthens the European currency.
Source: Sme
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
