The coalition has agreed on vouchers for seniors, SaS will not block them – SME.sk

BRATISLAVA. Representatives of the governing coalition have agreed on 500-euro vouchers for seniors at vaccination. SaS does not support or block them.

According to Anna Zemanova, chairwoman of the SaS parliamentary group, the party will not consider it a breach of the coalition agreement if the proposal of the Minister of Finance Igor Matovič (OĽANO) will pass in the National Council (NR) SR with the support of the opposition.

The government will still have to sit on the proposal and then come to parliament.

SaS wants to motivate benefits for the vaccinated

Coalition leaders expect to be able to discuss it at second reading by the end of the week.

According to Zeman, the SaS thinks that steps such as easing measures for the vaccinated are the right mobilization. He claims that this was also shown by the increased interest in vaccinations before the adoption of a stricter lockdown.

According to her, they have not yet seen the specific paragraph wording of Matovič’s proposal to introduce vouchers. She noted that the hole in the budget will have to be defended by the Minister of Finance.

The money will stay in Slovakia

Club president OĽANO Michal Šipoš talks about the need to vaccinate as many seniors as possible, which could contribute to relieving hospitals.

He sees the advantage of the vouchers in the fact that the money will end up in Slovakia, in the domestic economy and will support the services affected by the pandemic. The position of SaS is not understood. “Every responsible MP should support the proposal, because we will help several things in Slovakia. We need it as soon as possible,” he underlined.

He explained that none of the partners had yet seen a specific proposal, “because it is currently being written”. As for compulsory vaccination, he does not see the political will and prefers motivation.

Scheliga would suggest more possibilities of application

Vice-Chairman of the For People party Juraj Šeliga, who came to the coalition with his own proposal for vouchers, stated that a compromise was not possible. “SaS said it insists on its position,” he said.

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He believes that the proposal will come well and with an extended range of services where vouchers can be redeemed. If this motivation does not work, he said, it will be necessary to proceed with compulsory vaccination. He also pointed to the surrounding countries.

“This is not a violent way of entering the freedom of the individual, it is a protection of public health. There have been several compulsory vaccinations in the last 15 years,” he said, adding that parliamentary approval was not required.

The coalition partners were also to open the topic of medical remuneration at Monday’s meeting. The proposal of options should be prepared by the Minister of Health Vladimir Lengvarsky (nominant OĽANO).

According to Šelig, it is time to show that the state and society value the work of health professionals. Šipoš added that everything will depend on the proposal of the Minister and is ready to support any proposal to help health professionals.

Kollár believes that the vouchers will help increase vaccination

Speaker of Parliament and Movement We are a family Boris Kollár also supports the introduction of vouchers. He declared that he was in favor of any contribution or allowance for pensioners, even if it did not help in motivating the vaccine.

“Whoever does not want to give pensioners 500 euros, let him fight against pensioners,” he said.

Details of the proposal have not yet been seen. “But I know the scheme. I’m sure it will help,” he said. He talks about investing in the economy and several sectors affected by the pandemic. He also pointed to the wave of rising prices.

SaS agrees with the draft budget

Coalition leaders believe they will also find an agreement on the fundamental reforms that await deputies at the end of the current parliamentary session, such as the reform of national parks, hospitals and the draft state budget.

According to Sheliga, there is still room for negotiation. According to him, the reform of national parks is not far from an agreement. “It is better to negotiate than to confuse in plenary,” he added.

As for the state budget, SaS is also ready to support it in the form presented.

“He came to the parliament with a deficit of 4.94 percent of GDP, we are ready to vote for such a proposal, which is submitted in the parliament,” Zemanová said.

With regard to rental apartments, she noted that the amendment has not yet arrived and without it does not assume that the intention We are a family has passed.