Remisova: Strategic Investments Act Tramples Ownership Rights

Bratislava, April 16 (TASR) - The governing coalition is gearing up to violate egregiously people's ownership rights in Slovakia, opposition lawmaker Veronika Remisova ('Slovakia'-Christian Union-For the People) warned on Tuesday. The bill in question is one of the first items on the agenda of the current parliamentary session. The Government proposes to have it discussed in a fast-track procedure over what it sees as a looming danger of potential economic damages. "In light of problems with sluggish construction processes, the Government-sponsored bill will ensure more streamlined processes for carrying out construction works, as defined under the bill, which will have a positive effect on the Slovak Republic's economy and living standards of the people," reads the text of the motion. Remisova warned, however, that the bill is set to introduce certain dangerous processes when seeking construction permits or dispossessing owners of land plots. For instance, holders of strategic investment certificates will be free to enter property they don't own in order to carry out preparation works. In addition, investors or contractors will be allowed to enter undeveloped property they don't own near the strategic investment site and carry out necessary measures for the purpose of construction works. The Government also wishes to facilitate the process of dispossessing land, investors won't have to pay administrative fees and the risk of extensive environmental damage will increase significantly, added Remisova. Remisova signalled that her party will reach out to other opposition parties with a mind towards challenging the legislation in the Constitutional Court. "In our view, this bill is unconstitutional and we will do our utmost to protect ownership rights of the people from this bulldozer that is the governing coalition," she claimed. mf