STATE AT ZERO

Prime Minister Robert Fico was right when he deemed the triumphant welcoming of Transpetrol back in the hands of the government as an absolute historical turn. The purchase of the oil transporter is the first and the last success, in the effort to regain former state businesses. Other purchases might not happen so soon, because the state has run out of money. Currently, the last remnants of cash from the money reserve, which has been created by accumulating so-called state financial assets, are being used. There is no more money left for other privatizations. Neither is there money for the intended solvency of the freshly indebted health service, or the financing of the pension system. Starting this year the government is making promises which can’t be guaranteed. I Pg 16