Park reform angered MPs and people alike: Protest in front of parliament! Direction is against, the president will support her – Topky.sk

A protest rally for national park reform was held in front of the parliament building this morning. At the time the legislators began negotiations, there were several dozen people. They also chanted passwords like “We are not a family” and called on MEPs to support legislative change and protect national parks.

The direction is clearly against

The opposition Smer-SD thinks that reform of national parks is necessary, but the current proposal needs to be reworked. According to MP Richard Takáč (Smer-SD), the proposal liquidates the countryside, saying that thousands of jobs are at risk. Smer-SD also criticizes that the reform did not go through the classic long comment.

“Every reform should start with the letter A, this reform starts with steps four, five. Direction-SD is not against the protection of forests, nature,” announced at Tuesday’s Takáč press conference. Smer-SD is in favor of moving land administrations “under one roof”, but according to him, it is first necessary to say what needs to be moved. He also talks about the need to review and zoning all national parks.

If the proposal passes, they want, according to the deputy, to analyze whether it does not affect the rights of citizens in terms of constitutionality. They will also appeal to President Zuzana Čaputová not to sign the law. According to Takáč, if the proposal passes and Smer-SD becomes part of the government in the future, they will repeal this legislation.

Rural disposal

Smer-SD also criticizes the fact that the proposal was submitted by deputies and not by the government. According to the party, this bypassed the classic legislative process. According to Takáč, 25 of the 130 comments were incorporated. He also criticizes that the original proposal had one side, but that the coalition amendment is more extensive. “In such a fundamental reform, the discussion must take place for at least a year with all concerned, with the countryside, the foresters, the hunting chamber, non-governmental organizations, as well as with the opposition.” stated.

Source: Topky / Vlado Anjel

According to Takáč, the reform will have an impact on the business environment. According to him, it is a total liquidation of the countryside. Takáč also reminded that the Ministry of Finance pointed out that the proposal does not contain a solution from where the funds will be drawn.

The draft legislation states that the administration of state land in national parks is to be transferred to the State Nature Protection (SOP) of the Slovak Republic.

Source: TASR – Jakub Kotian

The president will support the reform

Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová supports the reform of national parks. He believes that the amendment will receive the necessary support in parliament. This was stated by Jozef Matej, director of the communication department of the Office of the President of the Slovak Republic. A vote on the reform of national parks is expected in the plenary session of the National Council (NR) of the Slovak Republic on Tuesday.

“The president considers its adoption a necessary step not only for the protection of natural resources, but also for the promotion of nature-friendly farming.” said Matej.

There will be no fire until the early evening

Members of the National Council (NR) of the Slovak Republic should decide on the reform of national parks only on Tuesday evening. The submitter of the amendment to the Nature and Landscape Protection Act, Jaromír Šíbl (OĽANO), proposed to postpone the vote from 11.00 to later due to political negotiations on support for the reform. The plenary agreed.