“The government doesn’t set the prices, that’s fine, but it’s our duty to talk to everyone and create fair pressure so that there’s a balance between profit, margin and final price,” Fiala said this week.
Karel Havlicek responded to the Prime Minister’s words on Terecia Tomankova’s party show on CNN Prima News. “You know, now it’s not about Akrofert, but what Prime Minister Fiala said was completely unheard of in this era, I mean in the post-revolutionary era. He talked about everything like a hardened communist,” Havlicek said, then continued:
“Do you remember Milos Jakes and his statement just before the revolution? That Zanda and that Zakorova somehow earn more. Shouldn’t we clip their wings a little? It’s basically the same practice. What he said was untrue,” Havlicek said.
Vice President Skopeček (ODS) responded to Havlicek and said the challenge was logical. He said on the show that high food prices in the Czech Republic are as high as the entire economy. “Prices of all goods and services are rising, and that is inflation,” he reasoned. For example, when asked why it is cheaper in Poland, he said that prices will rise there too.
“The second thing is competition. So the only option to reduce food prices is to reduce VAT or increase competitiveness,” he continued.
The alliance also agreed that property tax would remain a dedicated revenue stream for municipalities. On Thursday afternoon, the finance ministry released the full list of changes.
In this regard, Skopeček said that he is not a supporter of raising taxes. “I have to admit that this is the first serious attempt after many years to consolidate public funds and do something. When I say first, I don’t mean last,” Skopezek said in Bardia. According to Havlicek, the set of capitulations is strong in the ruling party.
“The consolidation package is the first step to start doing something with the public finances,” continued Skopjek, who called the austerity package a “bloody compromise.”
“This is not some government idea.”
For example, Skopeček commented on the property tax increase, saying that the request came from cities and municipalities. “This is not some idea of the government. It happened after the request of the municipality and municipal officials. I consider it a compromise,” he said.
Missing baby water or diapers at a reduced VAT rate was also discussed. At the same time, the ANO movement wants to move cut flowers into the price cut. “It is not concrete. We will discuss it at the club, where we will take a position,” said Karel Havlicek.
The discussion also returned to employee benefits, albeit in a more truncated form. “Sometimes interest groups win over politicians,” Skopjek replied.
Havlicek responded that the government took a kind of half-step. “I say this government has been anti-business since the revolution,” he pointed out. At the same time, he pointed out that the Czech Republic has high prices for energy.
