Opposition: Across-the-board Energy Aid Just Another Waste of Public Money

Bratislava, December 13 (TASR) - According to the opposition parties, the government's announcement of €235 million across-the-board energy aid is just another waste of public money, TASR learnt on Friday. The opposition concurs that the measures to provide help with energy prices should have been targeted, not across the board. The announced energy aid has been criticised by MPs from the Freedom and Solidarity party (SaS), the Christian Democrats (KDH) and the 'Slovakia', 'For the People', KU caucus. "By approving gas and heating energy assistance of €235 million, the government has shown its inability to calculate targeted assistance for the needy. It has had more than a year to do so but hasn't come up with any specific solution," said KDH spokesperson Lenka Kovar. SaS pointed out that across-the-board aid will also be given to those who don't need it. Conversely, it will be lower for those who really need help with energy prices. "But what is absolutely the worst thing about across-the-board aid is that Slovaks will pay twice for energy - the first time via an invoice from their supplier, the second time via the taxes they pay to the state. On average, the state will draw almost €1,000 from each household next year because of Fico's big price hikes, only to return less than a tenth of it via the subsidy," said SaS MP Karol Galek. MP Veronika Remisova ('Slovakia', 'For the People', KU) considers the announced energy aid to be a ruse, as people will pay for everything with their own money. "They say they are protecting people, but in reality they are robbing them. Fico's energy aid is just a ploy that we'll all pay for through higher taxes and more expensive living. This isn't protection, but a scam for which families and pensioners will pay the most," stated Remisova. Following the cabinet meeting on Friday, Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) announced that heating and gas prices for households won't increase next year and will remain at this year's level. Around €235 million will be spent on the energy aid. am/df