Parliament Ends Friday Session with Debate on Misdemeanours Bill

Bratislava, 29 May (TASR) - Parliament concluded Friday's sitting with a debate on an amendment to the Misdemeanours Act, with the bill, submitted by the Interior Ministry, currently at its second reading. The amendment aims to increase fines for misdemeanours. The ministry explained that the rise was necessary because the current level of fines doesn't fulfil an educational, punitive or preventive function. The bill also introduces a new sanction in the form of minor municipal services. This measure is intended mainly for cases in which fines cannot be enforced. MPs will return to Parliament on Monday, 1 June, even though they usually don't sit on Mondays. In the morning, they are due to hold a special emergency session on an opposition-sponsored motion to dismiss Environment Minister Tomas Taraba, a nominee of the Slovak National Party, from office. Parliament will then resume its regular session. No voting will take place on Monday, with the next vote on debated proposals scheduled for Tuesday, 2 June. mf/df