The Slovak Towns and Villages Association (ZMOS) urged Prime Minister Ludovit Odor on Monday to come up with a model to pay the towns and villages at least some part of their guaranteed support, approved in the state budget. Jozef Bozik, head of the Association of Slovak Towns and Villages, said after a meeting of the ZMOS Council on the same day. The sum should equal €54 million in the first half of 2023, with an additional €54 million to be paid in the second half of the year. According to Bozik the situation is, once again, getting worse. “Back in April, we managed to receive a promise that our income loss of €750 million, caused by the previous government, will be at least partly compensated. We received proceeds from income tax worth €328 million. However, we still lack €400 million that would entitle us to say that the state hasn't just taken away our money, but is helping us to address the current energy and inflation crisis." he stated. The towns and villages have thus far received only 45 percent of the sum, promised to them by former premier Eduard Heger. The association adds that the current prime minister is willing to go through with this, but Parliament is also in session at the moment and no one knows what the outcome of its deliberations will be on the state budget. If the compensation is not received in July, ZMOS plans to approach politicians with a request to reconsider the state budget.
Source: TASR
