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Stefanec: We Expect Professional Opinion of NBS, Not Political Struggle
Wednesday 30 December 2009 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, December 30 (TASR) - The Opposition reproaches the Slovak central bank (NBS) and its outgoing governor Ivan Sramko for not protesting more against the Government's interference in the second pillar of the pension system, the passing of harmful legislation, and negative developments in public finances, SDKU-DS MP Ivan Stefanec has told TASR.
"We didn't expect Sramko to enter the political struggle, but first and foremost to voice his opinion on principal issues that affect economic life in Slovakia. Such stances have been lacking on his part recently," said Stefanec.
The SDKU MP was reacting to Sramko's statement that opposition representatives have made an effort to draw NBS into the political struggle in recent years by exerting public pressure on the bank to take up a stance on issues on which it isn't entitled to comment.
According to Stefanec, however, NBS was silent even when it shouldn't have been. "Especially in cases of nationalisation based on the Strategic Enterprises Act. The NBS governor doesn't attend the government session simply to be a passive witness, but to convey his opinion on important legislation like this - legislation that has a negative impact on Slovakia's economy," said Stefanec, who added that NBS was also responsible for thwarting an investigation into an alleged information leak regarding a re-evaluation of the central-parity rate of the Slovak koruna.
On the other hand, Stefanec appreciates NBS's contribution to the successful introduction of the euro in Slovakia. "As far as this issue goes, a political and societal consensus took place partly thanks to NBS. I consider this fact to be an achievement of the outgoing governor," he said.
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