SaS: Government to Waste Hundreds of Millions on Non-targeted Energy Aid

Bratislava, 4 August (TASR) - The government is set to waste additional hundreds of millions via non-targeted energy subsidies in 2026, opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party MPs Karol Galek and Marian Viskupic said at a briefing on Monday, responding to Prime Minister Robert Fico's (Smer-SD) statement that energy prices in 2026 are expected to remain unchanged for about 90 percent of households. According to Galek, energy subsidies should be received by those who need them, and, at the same time, the scheme should not include those who don't need subsidised energy and use it for heating water in a pool. "On the other hand, we're receiving letters from pensioners who say that they are struggling to pay their energy bills even with energy subsidies. Simply put, those who actually need aid will receive little, and those who do not need it will, unfortunately, get the same," explained Galek. He recalled that last year, Economy Minister Denisa Sakova (Voice–SD) said on multiple occasions that energy assistance would be available to all who will need it in 2025. "But in the end, this didn't happen, and all of those who didn't need it actually received it," he pointed out, adding that this will be the case again in 2026. "For two years now, we've been calling on this government to stop wasting money, because all of this money is our money. It should have been spent on health care, education or roads," added Galek. According to Viskupic, when more than 90 percent of households are set to receive energy subsidies, it cannot be called targeted aid at all. "This isn't targeted assistance, it is once again subsidies for everyone, once again blanket subsidies. A blanket subsidy, of any kind, not just energy, means that public funds are being spent inefficiently. It's an absolutely inefficient approach and a waste of money. The status quo in energy subsidies is being preserved, with no opportunities offered for development," added Viskupic. Prime Minister Robert Fico announced on social media on Sunday (3 August) that energy prices are expected to remain unchanged for about 90 percent of households in 2026. He said that the proposal emerged from consultations with Economy Minister Sakova, with whom Fico discussed alternatives for compensating gas and heating prices last week. jrg/df/ko