Fico: Definitive Form of Energy Aid for Households Not Decided Yet

Bratislava/Brezno, October 8 (TASR) - It is not yet decided what shape will the aid with high energy prices for households take, as it might be a targeted aid but also a "helicopter money" scheme, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) declared at a press conference on Tuesday in Brezno (Banska Bystrica region), where Fico attended a working congress of the Investment Ministry and communal leaders. "We'll do our utmost to prevent the people from feeling the pain of growing prices of gas, electricity and heat. Leave the specifics to us. There are various options. It might be a targeted aid, it might be a helicopter money scheme," said Fico. Even on behalf of representatives of Voice-SD and SNS parties, Fico stated that the coalition parties have been busy on the scheme, due to be announced in short time. Until then, however, consultations with the management of the Office for Regulation of Network Industries (URSO) must be held first. "We've always fought against high prices of energy. After this consolidation, when we've dropped the VAT tax to 5 percent on foods, medicine, tourism, gastro and accommodation, but on the other hand went up to 23 percent with other products, we can't allow the prices of heat, gas and electricity to ratchet up, too," claimed Fico. mf