People who heat their homes with wood are out of luck. As are people who use electricity, coal, or heat from heating plants, or who are retired and not yet older than 65 years. Everyone is out of luck who is not a pensioner, but is existing on the minimum welfare amount.
The Plus Senior natural gas program promises to give cheaper gas to people who are over 65 without regard for whether they are in poverty or attending spa visits at their own expense. This is the deal the government has arranged with the SPP gas utility.
With this agreement, Slovakia now has another social security payment, the 70 that already exist apparently not being enough. Now, it is the turn of vendors of coal, heating, electricity, wood and water to see if they can do something for senior citizens. Even the Slovnaft refinery could join in with a Super 65 Senior brand of gasoline. Something to think about.
It could also be politically advantageous to come up with such agreements. SPP bought itself some peace and quiet from the government for a song, while Fico bought himself even greater support among old-timers. It doesn't matter that seniors will only be Sk50 a month better off.
If it keeps on going like this, pretty soon we will all love the prime minister.
Sme, April 20
Author: Ivan Štulajter
