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Reform to Levy System Should Take Place, But Not via Levy Bonus
Monday 21 June 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, June 21 (TASR) - Even though Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) chairman Richard Sulik declared a so-called levy bonus as one of SaS's main priorities, it isn't certain whether the party can push the measure through, according to information in the media on Monday.
The levy bonus would represent a considerable reform to the levy system in Slovakia. Some reforms are expected in this sphere, but probably not in the form suggested by SaS.
"We have a deal not to comment on things until the (coalition) agreements are concluded. If others give their opinions, okay, but we won't do so," Sulik told TASR on the same day in reaction to a report by Hospodarske Noviny daily that SaS has given up the idea of introducing a general levy bonus under pressure from the three other rightist parties.
SaS's proposal was especially rejected by Most-Hid chairman Bela Bugar. "We also claim that considerable changes are necessary for the levy system and that the levy burden has to be reduced. That's all right. But the levy bonus, which they are offering, certainly isn't. We'll never allow people who retire or become unemployed to get only €116 [per month], which would be their maximum," said Bugar on TV Markiza's politics show 'Na Telo' on Sunday.
According to the daily, a compromise is emerging among the parties that have achieved a joint majority in Parliament. It should involve a reduction in levies for people with low incomes without the other elements of Sulik's bonus. In addition, unified tax and levy collection should be implemented.
"Each of the coalition partners has to realise that a government can only be formed if a compromise is reached," Most-Hid vice-chairman Zsolt Simon told TASR.
Representatives of the centre-right parties said earlier that the coalition agreement and programme theses may be presented on Tuesday. Sulik conceded for TASR, however, that they need some more time for negotiations.
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