Slovakia’s government will freeze ministers’ flat-rate allowances as part of a €2.7 billion austerity measures package (also known as consolidation). This was announced by Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenický (Smer-SD) on TA3 TV Channel on Sunday. Lawmakers had already agreed to freeze their allowances, with MPs losing about €220 monthly after a tax hike.
Opposition leader Michal Šimečka (Progressive Slovakia) criticized the move as inadequate, arguing ministers had previously doubled their allowances and are now only freezing them at inflated levels, while ordinary citizens bear heavier burdens.
Kamenický defended the measures, saying it is vital to repair strained public finances left by previous governments and pre-election legislation. €1.3 billion will come from government measures, including cuts to municipalities and reduced household energy subsidies partly offset by EU funds.
The debate also touched on Prime Minister Robert Fico’s allegations of fund misuse by Šimečka’s family, which Šimečka dismissed as a distraction from rising prices and economic challenges.
Source: TASR
