On Thursday, Parliamentary Chairman Pavol Paška, Prime Minister Robert Fico, and Environment Minister Peter Žiga revealed the details of their constitutional amendment on banning water exports.
The prime minister read out the proposed provision whereby the transportation and transit of water gained from sources of ground waters, natural healing waters, mineral waters, geothermal waters, water courses and surface waters across Slovakia's borders shall be prohibited. If approved by Parliament, the ban will apply to transportation in pipelines and water tanks alike. Those who export bottled water processed in Slovakia, be it mineral or table water, will continue to be allowed to do so. “Obviously we can't jeopardise jobs”, said Fico. An exemption is also set to apply when it comes to humanitarian crises. According to the premier, the Cabinet is seeking to “put an end for good to speculations, accusations and lies that have been coming at us from the Opposition”. Opposition parties have lambasted the Government for its amendment to the Water Act and have accused it of potentially privatising Slovak water. In order for the constitutional bill to pass in Parliament, it will need the support of 90 MPs. The ruling party Smer-SD has only 83 legislators however.
