Municipalities in talks with parties over election programmes

Political parties are showing an interest in communicating with municipal authorities in the process of drafting their election programmes ahead of next year's general election, according to the Association of Slovak Towns and Villages (ZMOS) chairman Michal Sykora. "Political parties feel that we have a good number of suggestions. Discussions mostly revolved around the financing and structuring of municipalities and their modernisation. European funds pose an enormous challenge and our effort will surely be to set the rules in such a way that we have commitments not only on the part of municipalities but also the state", said Sykora. Another pressing issue is the housing for young people. "It's necessary to devote more financial resources to the State Housing Development Fund. We feel we're ready for this. We have enough options but we need more financial resources", added Sykora.