MPs End Monday's Session with Debate on Amendment to Penal Code

Bratislava, 1 December (TASR) - MPs concluded Monday's session with a debate on a proposal for a fast-tracked legislative procedure on the government's amendment to the Penal Code. The 'three strikes and you're out' principle is to be reintroduced for petty theft. This would make repeat offenders liable to prosecution. Several opposition MPs acknowledged that this change should be discussed in a fast-tracked procedure, however, they criticise the justification for the proposal for the fast-tracked proceedings, rejecting the idea that the opposition or the media could be responsible for the increase in petty crime through their disinformation campaign that 'stealing pays off'. They also reiterated that they had been warning about the increase in crime since the coalition came up with its amendment to the penal codes. am