The coalition supports an SNS proposal to narrow the transaction tax’s scope during Tuesday’s parliamentary session.
The parties emphasized that the measure is aimed at maintaining fiscal consolidation while easing the burden on working citizens. According to Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok (Hlas-SD), the revised tax will not apply to sole traders or small businesses. To offset the anticipated budget shortfall, the coalition backed an earlier proposal from the Republic Union of Employers, which last week suggested eliminating two public holidays.
The coalition agreed on decoupling the public holiday on the 17th of November — the Day of the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy — from its status as a non-working day starting in 2025. A similar change could affect another holiday beginning in 2026. Opposition leader Michal Šimečka (PS) condemned the decision to cut a symbolic day of rest, accusing Fico of undermining democratic values instead of cutting government expenditures.
The Confederation of Trade Unions (Konfederácia odborových zväzov) also reacted to the plan to reduce public holidays, warning that the change would lead to a decrease in employee income.
Source: TASR
