Slovak parliament halves housing aid for Ukrainian refugees
The Slovak parliament has decided to reduce the duration for paying housing allowances to refugees from Ukraine from 120 to 60 days. The new regulations are awaiting the signature of President Peter Pellegrini and are set to take effect next March.
The law was supported exclusively by members of the ruling coalition; the opposition did not participate in the voting. Currently, the housing allowance for Ukrainian refugees is 5 euros ($5,30) per night.
Opposition criticizes the ruling coalition's decision
The decision was met with criticism from the opposition. MP Zuzana Sztevulova described the new regulation as "inhumane." She calculated that shortening the allowance period would save the country only 2 million euros (2.1 million dollars) and stated, "if Slovakia were more generous, it could be more proud of itself."
Michal Bartek, a member of the coalition party Hlas, defended the changes. He claimed that Slovakia was more generous in helping Ukrainians than other countries and "as a result, it strained its own citizens."
"If anyone wants to continue helping Ukrainians, they should go there," added the MP.
If President Peter Pellegrini signs the amendment, Slovakia will fund the accommodation of Ukrainian refugees for 60 days instead of the current 120 days starting next March. The same restriction will apply to stays in refugee centers.
