Wednesday’s parliamentary discussion on the austerity or so-called consolidation measures was cut short. After the discussion finished the coalition MPs approved the proposal for a fact-tracked legislative procedure in connection with the adoption of the measures.
The debate on this proposal started on Friday (September 12). The debate continued Tuesday and was resumed on Wednesday (September 17) at 9 a.m.
In the debate, opposition MPs expressed their disagreement with the fast-tracked legislative proceedings, stating that such a proposal is unjustified. They also criticised the lack of austerity on the part of the state in the context of consolidation. Consolidation, they said, will again affect mainly ordinary and working people.
Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenicky (Smer-SD) reiterated that consolidation is necessary due to the poor condition of public finances caused by previous governments. However, he also rejected proposals to abolish social benefits, such as 13th pensions or across-the-board energy subsidies, saying that social reconciliation needs to be preserved.
Kamenicky also rejected the possibility of making major changes to the consolidation package after Tuesday's tripartite session, saying that the agreement reached by the coalition is fragile and could be disrupted.
The government approved the consolidation package last week, but Labour, Social Affairs and the Family Minister Erik Tomas (Hlas-SD) said that additional changes could be adopted by Parliament, which is already discussing the package.
"We're willing to accept minor changes, which could be made, for example, by Parliament," said Kamenicky. Even though he intends to discuss every amendment, major changes are not recommended.
To date, Kamenicky hasn't specified how individual ministries will contribute to the consolidation effort, but his ministry is currently processing their proposals in order to incorporate them into the upcoming state budget.
Source: TASR
