President Kiska vetoes Bill citing discrimination

President Andrej Kiska on Thursday vetoed an amendment to the Social Insurance Act that introduces the minimum pension, citing what he called discrimination against savers in the capitalisation pillar of the pension system. With that in mind, the head of state suggested that Parliament modify the bill and remove the perceived discrimination. He highlighted the fact that approved bill underwent significant change compared to the version approved by Parliament that resulted in lower guarantees for pensioners who had been saving for their retirement in the second, or capitalisation, pillar that ultimately result in lower pensions. Calling the arrangement "direct discrimination", Kiska referenced a ban on discrimination that is enacted in the Slovak Constitution.