Hauliers’ strike continues

Reducing road taxes would require a change in law that would have to be passed in Parliament, with a consensus within the coalition also necessary, Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenicky (Smer-SD) pointed out on Wednesday following the negotiations with representatives of road hauliers. These have been protesting since Tuesday in the Bratislava, Košice and Orava areas. They are asking for a 50-percent reduction in road taxes and the suspension of toll collection until a new toll administrator is appointed. At the meeting with the protesting hauliers, the finance minister noted that the 2020 budget had already been closed and that a correction mechanism was expected to be approved this year. Moreover, he considers the requirement of the Slovak Hauliers Union (UNAS) for a 50-percent reduction in road taxes to be unrealistic and it cannot currently be accepted, as it would mean a budget shortfall of some 35 million euros. In the meantime, hauliers are also preparing for a nationwide strike.