National Economic Council

The government's National Economic Council (NERV) is an independent advisory body assisting the government to find the most appropriate form of economic reforms and measures. NERV advised the Czech government from January 2009, when the Czech Republic began to feel the first effects of the recession. Activity of NERV was suspended since September 2009, and nearly a year later, the political government headed by Petr Necas has decided to resume its activities. NERV members are not state emplyees, activities within NERV are realized in their free time.

Coalition government is committed to consolidate public finances. The government proposes cuts in state expenditures, which stop the growth of state debt. ODS, TOP 09 and VV (coalition parties) want to do this in the most sensible way for the public. Cuts in any country are not popular, and also because of that there is a need for a team of respected economic experts in government who provide to all citizens objective information.

The government also plans major reforms of the tax system, pensions and health care system. These are changes that go far beyond one election period. But they are necessary to prevent serious social bust caused by aging of population in the coming decades.

Prime Minister Petr Necas and his government are responsible for the design and implementation of all reforms. Consultation and cooperation with the leading economists prevent errors and provide the right solutions for the development of public budgets and the future of all citizens of the Czech Republic.

NERV has 8 working groups:

• Public Finance [supervisor: Tomáš Sedláček]
• Pension reform (work completed) [supervisor: Vladimír Bezděk]
• Fight against corruption [supervisor: Pavel Kohout]
• Relations with the EU [supervisor: Petr Zahradník]
• Competitiveness and business support [supervisor: Michal Mejstřík]
• Health system funding [garant: Miroslav Zámečník]
• EU budgetary framework [supervisor: Petr Zahradník]
• Crisis in the euro area [supervisor: Vladimír Dlouhý