President Zuzana Čaputová returned the so-called anti-inflationary package to the Parliament for renegotiation. The President also pointed out that she did not question the parts that should allow for immediate aid. She vetoes only those relating to measures that should be effective from January 2023. According to her, they do not meet the grounds for a shortened legislative procedure. She announced her decision during a statement at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday. If the veto is overridden, it will turn to the Constitutional Court: “If my veto is broken, I will turn to the Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic with a request to assess the constitutionality of the legislative process. I am convinced that the shortened legislative procedure has been used in this case in violation of the Slovak Constitution. At the same time, if my veto is broken, it is necessary for the Constitutional Court to make this matter clear once and for all.”
Finance Minister Igor Matovic said he was not surprised by the president's decision. He regrets that she did not give him the opportunity to defend the aid to families. At a press briefing on Tuesday, Matovič claimed that the families would ultimately prevail regardless of the veto. At the same time, the president urged the Government to help over 200,000 people that the so-called anti-inflation package does not apply to, as the legislation is bound to children. The head of the state stressed that there are many people at risk of poverty in Slovakia that this legislation does not think of. Premier Eduard Heger said at a news conference on Tuesday that he respects President Zuzana Caputova's decision: "I respect the president's position. Now I need to study the details of her decision and choose my further action accordingly."
Parliament passed the anti-inflation package sponsored by the Finance Ministry on May 24. Under the draft law on financing children's leisure time, children from five to 18 years of age should receive €60 monthly for their leisure activities. The level of tax bonus and children's allowances should be increased as well. The law was backed by 81 out of 131 MPs present in the voting. The package was criticised by representatives of local government, as well as social partners. Meanwhile, pro-family organisations have called on the president to sign it. Coalition parties declared they will not change their position if the president vetoes the bill.
SOURCE: TASR
