Illustrative stock photo (source: TASR)
It will be possible to prolong the national emergency.
MPs approved the amendment to the constitutional law, which makes it possible to repeatedly extend the national emergency by 40 days. The change was supported by 91 of 94 deputies present in the assembly hall.
Thanks to the change, it will now be possible to apply the curfew measures that came into force on December 19 until the beginning of January.
The national emergency currently in place was declared on October 1. Without the change, it would end on December 29. It would thus not be possible to impose a curfew or declare a work duty for healthcare employees.
As the changes were introduced as part of a constitutional amendment, it required the support of at least 90 MPs. The ruling coalition controls 95 seats in the parliament.
Special exemption from hygienists
Shortly before Christmas, several coalition MPs tested positive for the coronavirus, which prevented them from attending the parliamentary session for voting on changes to the national emergency rules.
The coalition failed to have enough votes to pass the amendment.
