The nascent new ruling coalition in Slovakia of the parties SMER-SD, SNS, MOST-HÍD and #SIEŤ have agreed on the program priorities of their government for the years 2016 - 2020. The priorities have been divided into eleven areas. In foreign and European policy, clear continuity has been defined regarding the pro-European and pro-Atlantic orientation of the Slovak Republic. Additionally, the partners have agreed to update the security and defence strategy of the Slovak Republic and to strengthen care for Slovaks living abroad. The coalition also agreed on an anti-corruption program, along with the adoption of an effective law that would eliminate offshore shell companies from receiving payments from state funds. The new coalition announced that it is committed to enforcing the constitutional law on proving the origin of property, and that it has agreed to lower the corporate income tax rate to 21 percent. The coalition parties will review this percentage annually. Additionally, tax licenses are to be cancelled in 2018, and sole traders will also be able to expect an increase in the deductible limits of flat-rate expenses.
The fledging cabinet also intends to lay the groundwork for introducing material accountability for individuals entrusted with the governance of public resources, to extend the system of mandatory publishing of contracts and incorporate the Rule of Law initiative into the Government's Manifesto. Also to be bolstered is the protection of public interest in contractual relations.
Regarding the healthcare crisis, the Slovak Chamber of Nurses and Midwives welcomes the fact that healthcare has been named as one of the priorities of the next Government. "We hope that they will include in the final manifesto measures to improve the working conditions for healthcare employees", said Iveta Lazorová, the Chamber's Head.
