Voice-SD Wants Proposal to Freeze Ministers' Salaries Put on Government Agenda

Bratislava, 14 April (TASR) - The coalition Voice-SD party expects Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) to include a proposal to freeze ministers' salaries and flat-rate allowances on the government's agenda, Voice-SD caucus head Robert Puci told a press conference on Tuesday, stressing that the salaries of MPs have already been frozen. Puci also referred to earlier statements made by Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenicky (Smer-SD) and reiterated that the proposal to freeze ministers' salaries was prepared by Voice-SD's ministers. "We support the initiative by the Voice-SD party's ministers, who have already submitted such a proposal to the government and want to see a freeze on both ministerial salaries and flat-rate allowances. During a debate on reducing MPs' salaries in the autumn, Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenicky stated that ministers were also ready to freeze their flat-rate allowances. He even said on television that he's spoken to the prime minister about this issue, saying that there was an agreement on this and that their salaries should be frozen as well. So, I'm asking what has happened to his words about showing solidarity in some way, with people being hit hard by consolidation," stated Puci, adding that it's now up to the prime minister and his ministers to support the move. House Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) noted that in addition to freezing MPs' salaries at the levels seen in 2025, the reward for receiving the Jozef Miloslav Hurban Award, conferred by the speaker of Parliament, is also to be reduced. According to him, per diem rates for foreign trips have been abolished, and participation in such trips is to be restricted. Regarding Smer-SD's proposal to scrap postal voting from abroad and introduce voting at embassies, Voice-SD still has some questions that need to be answered. As agreed for now, the proposal is set to proceed to its second reading, during which Voice-SD intends to submit its comments. Rasi wants to see access to voting increased. Rasi once again criticised the opposition Christian Democrats (KDH) for lacking the courage to support an extension of terms of office for local governments to five years. "This is KDH's message to their own own mayors and regional governors - saying that KDH lacks the courage to push through such a simple change, which would be extremely important for their future work and subsequent terms," he said. A similar proposal has been submitted to Parliament by the junior coalition Slovak National Party (SNS). Voice-SD has stated that while it will help this to pass to its second reading, extending the mandate of MPs is not its priority. At the current parliamentary session, Voice-SD is also presenting proposals regarding equal pay for men and women for the same work, measures to support sole traders, solutions related to child maintenance, and a proposal to reduce the number of city boroughs in Kosice. jrg/df