Fiala: Govt. won’t succumb to pressure to change austerity package

Prime Minister Petr Fiala says there is no possibility of change to essential elements in the government’s austerity package aimed at reducing the state budget deficit. Speaking on Czech Television on Sunday, Mr. Fiala said the cabinet would not give in to pressure and would only make alterations to its plans if there were mistakes in the drafts.

The package, published on Thursday, envisages savings of CZK 94 billion this year alone. These are to be achieved via the discontinuation of non-investment subsidies, taxation changes, lay-offs and other moves.

The government is also planning significant reform to the state old-age pension system.