Coalition Council to also Discuss Social Measures Was Called Off

Bratislava, April 24 (TASR) - The Coalition Council on Wednesday afternoon, which was also supposed to address a package of social measures, was cancelled, TASR learnt from spokesman for Parliamentary Chair Andrej Danko (Slovak National Party/SNS) Tomas Kostelnik. A new date of the Coalition Council could be known in the coming days. "The Coalition Council should have been held today. It was first postponed and then completely called off at the last moment. The Slovak National Party and its chairman were prepared; they had points they wanted to consult with their partners," Kostelnik told TASR, adding that he believes that it will take place in the coming days. "I can confirm for the Smer-SD party that the Coalition Council has been moved, or postponed, until an indefinite term," said Smer-SD spokesman Jan Mazgut. He doesn't know the reasons why the Coalition Council was cancelled. Leaders of the coalition parties Smer-SD, SNS and Most-Hid were supposed to talk on Wednesday about a package of social measures which the coalition should present in June. This was confirmed by Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini (Smer-SD) before the Government meeting. SNS proposals feature the introduction of a reduced 15-percent corporate income tax at certain turnover levels, adjustment of value-added tax (VAT) on food and the abolition of license fees for pensioners, whereas Smer-SD wants to hike pensions, subsidies for mothers and the minimum wage. Most-Hid would like to cut levies and increase the non-taxable income basis for employees and trade licence holders. am/mcs