Slovakia halves refugee housing support amid political row
The Slovak parliament has decided to reduce the duration of housing allowances for Ukrainian refugees from 120 to 60 days. The new regulations await the signature of President Peter Pellegrini and are set to take effect from March next year.
The law was supported exclusively by members of the ruling coalition; the opposition did not participate in the vote. Currently, the housing allowance for Ukrainian refugees is €5 per night.
Opposition criticises 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 bring the country only €2 million in savings and argued "if Slovakia were more generous, it could be more proud of itself."
Michal Bartek, a member of the coalition party Voice (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, from March next year, Slovakia will fund the accommodation of Ukrainian refugees for 60 days instead of the current 120 days. The same restriction will apply to stays in refugee centres.
