Opposition: Fico's Aversion to Democracy Has Led to Scrapping of 17 November (2)

Bratislava, 3 June (TASR) - According to the opposition, the coalition's proposal to compensate for the losses from adjusting the transaction tax by cancelling the public holiday on 17 November [the Velvet Revolution that led to the end of communist regime in Slovakia - ed.note] is confirmation that Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) does not respect the values of freedom and democracy. In addition, according to opposition parties, the proposal confirms the government's unwillingness to cut its own costs and consolidate with a minimal impact on ordinary people. "A government that attacks the media, destroys independent institutions and silences critics is now targeting a symbol of freedom and democracy," said Progressive Slovakia chair Michal Simecka. "The prime minister may not care about 17 November, but for us, it is more than just a date. It is a reminder that freedom must always be fought for again, even today," emphasised the PS leader. According to SaS chair Branislav Groehling, the prime minister wants to erase the Velvet Revolution. "He'll cancel the 17 November holiday and send people to work so the state can make money from them," he commented on the proposal, which he called "an arrogant, stupid and dictatorial solution." However, Groehling believes that even this year people will gather on the streets on 17 November to remember the day and the values that the prime minister seems to have completely forgotten. Christian Democrats leader Milan Majersky admitted that the number of public holidays in Slovakia is above average. "However, this does not entitle a government that cannot consolidate or cut its own expenditures to cancel a public holiday that commemorates the fall of communism," he warned. The 'Slovakia' party is convinced that replacing the partial abolition of the transaction tax with the cancellation of the public holiday on 17 November is only a different kind of punishment for the public. "The ruling power has decided to drive people to work on the Day of the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy. Once again, they are punishing people, taking away their day off and not saving on themselves," declared MP Julius Jakab of the 'Slovakia' party. According to his colleague Rastislav Kratky, the prime minister has confirmed by this move that he has no regard for freedom or democracy. Chair of the 'For the People' party, Veronika Remisova, has joined the criticism, stating that the change regarding 17 November is a bad alternative to a bad consolidation approach. She also believes that by deciding to cancel the 17 November holiday, the prime minister is showing his contempt for democracy. The coalition parties Smer-SD, Voice-SD, and SNS announced on Monday (2 June) that they had agreed to support the proposal to narrow the scope of the transaction tax. As of October this year, self-employed individuals and small businesses with a turnover of up to €100,000 will no longer have to pay the tax. The government plans to address the resulting shortfall in the state budget by changing the national holiday of 17 November into a working day. mf/df