Slovak Government Blocks Freeze on Ministers' Allowances Despite Salary Increases

The Slovak government has blocked a proposal to freeze salaries for the prime minister and ministers, despite earlier commitments and evidence that their incomes have increased. Smer-SD, the ruling social-democratic party, voted against the salary freeze measure. The junior coalition partner Hlas-SD has proposed creating a social fund to which ministers would contribute 300 euros monthly as an alternative. Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenický had announced last autumn during approval of the government's consolidation package that cabinet members had agreed to freeze their allowance payments. However, calculations by Denník N newspaper show that government members' incomes have actually risen, contradicting claims made by several ministers that their earnings had decreased. The development highlights tensions within Slovakia's ruling coalition over fiscal responsibility as the country implements austerity measures while government officials maintain their compensation levels.