Richter: Thirteenth Pension Untouchable, There's Nothing to Discuss

(STVR, 'O 5 minut 12', 10 May) The thirteenth pension is untouchable, there's nothing to discuss, Smer-SD caucus head Jan Richter said on STVR's discussion programme 'O 5 minut 12' (Five Minutes to Twelve) on Sunday. Meanwhile, his opponent on the show, MP and opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) leader Branislav Gorehling views the current setup of the 13th pension as unsustainable and burdensome to the budget. However, he can envisage 13th pensions if they were targeted. In connection with Premier Robert Fico's (Smer-SD) trip to Moscow for the Victory Day celebrations, Groehling announced that SaS has filed a criminal complaint for treason. The party also plans to submit a resolution to Parliament at its next session condemning the trip. Groehling thinks that Fico talked with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow about how it would be possible to influence next year's general election in Slovakia. Richter countered that Fico and Putin had discussed energy issues during a private one-to-one meeting. Richter also expects a joint Slovak-Ukrainian government session to take place next month. However, he declined to say whether it will be in Bratislava or Kiev. He also said that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz should pay an official visit to Slovakia on 29 May. ko