Michelko: SNS Seeks Only Minor Adjustment to Transaction Tax

(STVR, 'O 5 minut 12', April 13) Coalition MP Roman Michelko (Slovak National Party/SNS) stated on STVR's discussion programme 'O 5 minut 12' (Five Minutes to Twelve) on Sunday that SNS will seek changes to the transaction tax emphasising that the proposed exemption for small businesses and entrepreneurs isn't a repeal of the measure but a minor adjustment, while opposition MPs Jozef Hajko (Christian Democarts/KDH) and Martin Dubeci (Progressive Slovakia/PS) criticised the transation tax. "We proposed a slight adjustment to the transaction tax for freelancers and small businesses with an annual turnover of up to €100,000," said Michelko, adding that the SNS had the Finance Ministry calculate the potential impact of the change. "Parliament shouldn't be a factory for passing laws. It should be a place where proposals are challenged, and ministers should be prepared to justify and defend them, even while facing criticism from within the coalition," he added. MP Jan Podmanicky (Smer-SD) added that it's normal for coalition partners to hold differing views on certain issues. He acknowledged that the effects of the transaction tax will be assessed over time, but given the current need to consolidate public finances, he doesn't believe there's a room for its immediate repeal. lin