Slovak ministers dropped a controversial constitutional amendment allowing early parliamentary dismissals via public referendum from their Wednesday agenda, choosing instead to focus on pharmaceutical falsification penalties, agricultural funds, and corporate tax adjustments.
Constitutional Amendment on Referendum Dismissals Dropped From Agenda
The Slovak cabinet abruptly removed a proposed constitutional amendment that would have granted citizens the power to recall the National Council of the Slovak Republic before the official expiration of its electoral term, according to government program documents published ahead of Wednesday’s session. The legislative text, which originated from the Ministry of Justice, was designed to fulfill a public pledge made by Prime Minister Robert Fico to establish a formal constitutional mechanism for early elections triggered directly by public vote.
While the referendum mechanism was shelved for now, the dropped constitutional package also contained provisions concerning the Slovak sign language, seeking its formal recognition as an independent language. Additionally, the text addressed rules for removing members of the Judicial Council of the Slovak Republic. Current regulations allow the dismissal of a council member at any time, whereas the proposed revision would restrict removals to specific circumstances such as severe health issues, intentional criminal convictions, custodial sentences, or appointment to a judicial office.
Tighter Criminal Penalties for Counterfeit Medications
Moving forward on separate legislative fronts, the government approved a proposal making the falsification of accompanying documentation for medicines and medical devices a distinct criminal offense. Under the newly approved rules, offering, selling, procuring, importing, exporting, transporting, or possessing counterfeit drugs or fraudulent medical documentation carries prison sentences of up to two years.
Individuals caught altering medical identities, falsifying packaging documents, or misrepresenting a manufacturer, country of origin, or marketing authorization holder with fraudulent intent face harsher penalties ranging from one to five years in prison. Minister of Health Kamil Šaško emphasized the significance of the shift in a social media statement cited by TA3, noting that criminalizing prescription forgery provides a greater guarantee that patient medications will remain accessible within the country.
Agricultural Subsidies and European Grant Frameworks
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development secured approval for financial support directed at domestic producers. The European Union will provide a maximum of 2.1 milióna eur to bolster Slovakia’s dairy and pork sectors under a regulatory decree cleared during the Wednesday session. Concurrently, the agro-sector is set to align domestic rules with EU regulations concerning the supply of commodities linked to deforestation.
In parallel, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for the Recovery Plan and Knowledge Economy is preparing a framework for a new financial program utilizing resources from the Investičného rámca pre Ukrajinu (UIF). While domestic institutions currently manage an initial program backed by a 100,96 milióna eur budget, the upcoming phase targets strategic industries and dual-use products through Eximbanka SR loans backed by EU guarantees.
Corporate Tax Adjustments and Personnel Changes
Fiscal adjustments also featured on the cabinet agenda. The Ministry of Finance advanced a legislative amendment to the equalization tax law designed to incorporate new guidance regarding global anti-base erosion model rules alongside practical feedback gathered from implementation. These tax modifications are scheduled to take effect in stages on December 30 and December 31 of this year.
Personnel updates accompanied the administrative decisions.
Unresolved Priorities and Future Defense Exhibitions
Despite a crowded docket, several major items failed to gain traction or were omitted entirely from the ministerial discussions. TA3 noted that officials bypassed debates concerning Russian surveillance cameras and an ongoing dispute involving the prime minister and the Hlas party over nuclear commerce, while wind energy infrastructure projects were also left off the formal schedule.
On the defense front, the cabinet reviewed organizational plans for the upcoming International Military Air Days scheduled for September 5 and 6 at the Piešťany airport. The Ministry of Defense, serving as the primary organizer, will coordinate flight displays and static exhibits alongside supporting programs managed by the Slovak Armed Forces.
