Public gatherings immediately in front of politicians' homes are to be made illegal. (source: TASR)
In response to the attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico's life in May, the government on Wednesday approved changes that have been dubbed the 'lex atentát' (assassination law). These include, among other things, limits on public gatherings and new benefits for several government and parliamentary officials.
"The costs for this are insignificant," deputy premier Robert Kaliňák (Smer) said.
The changes will be discussed in parliament via a fast-tracked procedure, i.e. with minimal review by MPs, before the start of the summer recess.
Lifetime pension for Fico
Robert Fico will become the only prime minister in Slovakia's history to be granted a lifetime pension, to be set at €3,192 per month, the currrent salary of an MP.
Until now, only the president was entitled to such a benefit. Fico's coalition wrote its proposal in such a way that even though it could technically apply to any premier, only Fico himself actually meets the conditions for the pension: holding the mandate for at least two full election periods.
This means that not only former prime ministers Igor Matovič, Eduard Heger or Jozef Moravčík, who occupied the office for 1 to 2 years each, but also Mikuláš Dzurinda and Vladimír Mečiar who led the government multiple times and for extended periods will also not meet the requirement.
Although Fico is entitled to the benefit immediately after its approval, he will not begin receiving it until he leaves his constitutional role. In addition, the speaker of parliament will also get a lifetime pension provided he or she has served two full terms in the office. However, no speaker to date has fullfilled such a condition.
Another law change relates to the housing of the president, speaker of parliament and prime minister who are currently entitled "to use an adequately equipped apartment for free." The wording is being changed to "real estate adequately equipped for housing and for the fulfillment of protocol obligations associated with the function". However, the explanatory notes do not make it clear what this terminology actually means.
In addition to the president, the prime minister, the interior and defence ministers and the speaker, from now on the chairs of all parliamentary parties as well as deputy speakers will be entitled to security.
This means that Progressive Slovakia (PS) leader Michal Šimečka, Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) chair Milan Majerský, Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) chair Branislav Gröhling, Slovensko chair Igor Matovič and Slovak National Party (SNS) chair Andrej Danko will also get taxpayer-funded security.
Limited gatherings
The government also proposes a limitation on public gatherings and protests. A ban on gatherings will apply within a radius of 50 metres from the residence of the Slovak president, the government, a general court, or up to 100 metres in the case of the Constitutional Court.
"The aim is to ensure that these state bodies can operate smoothly and not be disturbed," reads the draft.
The draft also includes new reasons for banning gatherings. For example, this can be to prevent protests in front of a household of a person whose employment, profession or post is directly related to the purpose of the gathering.
In the past, protests were held right in front of the Bonaparte complex in Bratislava where Robert Fico used to live, as well as in front of the houses of Igor Matovič and President Zuzana Čaputová. Such gatherings would henceforth have to be held at a distance.
