By: Moja Dolenjska
On Thursday, January 30th, MPs from the government coalition (Svoboda, SD, and Levica) reapproved the pension supplement after a veto by the National Council. This addition would ensure that many of the recipients of Prešeren’s awards in recent decades would receive 3,000 euros net in monthly pensions, while recipients of the Prešeren Fund and the President of the Republic would receive an additional 1,500 euros.
This time, all Levica members voted in favour, including Miha Kordiš. Among the independent MPs, only Dejan Kaloh voted against, while Eva Irgl and Anže Logar did not. Tine Novak, an MP from Svoboda who is shifting towards Logar, also abstained.
The SDS party announced that they would initiate procedures for collecting signatures for a legislative referendum. They added that if the supplements are not stopped by the referendum, a Prešeren award winner who already receives 30,000 euros in rewards would get an additional 400,000 euros in pension payments, which would be paid out for the rest of their life.
Citizens will be asked whether they support the idea of the selected cultural elite receiving an average of 1,500 euros more in monthly pensions, while retirees with the lowest pensions only receive 42 cents in additional monthly benefits.
This topic has generated significant reactions on social media. On Thursday’s evening programme on POP TV, MP Zvone Černač said:
“Ripped flag, golden pension? Do we really want to thank such ‘achievements’ with 3,200 euros a month, while most retirees can hardly make ends meet?” A video of the statement is available at: Link
“Breastfeeding a dog = cultural achievement for a golden pension? Apparently, in this government, there are no limits – an artist who breastfeeds a dog will now receive an exceptional pension thanks to the coalition, while retirees who worked for 40 years get pocket change.” The video is available at: Link