Position of the Rule of Law Initiative on the Preparation of the State Budget
“The business environment in Slovakia is once again facing a situation where, with only a few months left in the year, there is insufficient information regarding the budget and planned measures that could fundamentally affect business operations in the coming year.
This is not a new problem, however. We had already pointed out this same pattern in the preparation of major economic and legislative measures during previous fiscal consolidation efforts—specifically, the lack of timely discussion, limited opportunity for expert assessment of proposals, the adoption of fundamental changes under time pressure, and the subsequent need for corrective amendments. So far, we see no fundamental shift in approach this time either, even though the circumstances are even more challenging given the state of public finances and the economy.
We recognize that preparing the budget entails difficult political decisions and the need to find compromises. That is precisely why we consider it important for discussions on measures with a significant impact on the economy, employers, and citizens to begin in good time, and for social partners and the expert community to be involved while there is still genuine scope to assess and influence the proposals.
Predictability, transparency, and adherence to the standard legislative process are not merely formal requirements for the business environment. They are fundamental prerequisites for legal certainty and a stable business environment, enabling companies to plan investments, sustain employment, and maintain competitiveness.
We therefore call upon the government not to repeat past mistakes when preparing the budget. Fundamental changes must undergo a proper public consultation process, include realistic assessments of their impact on the business environment, and must not be adopted through individual parliamentary proposals or unjustified fast-track legislative procedures. Only in this way can decisions be made that do not harm the economy but, on the contrary, create room for its growth.”
You can read the Slovak original here.
