SNS proposes new school and marriage benefits in Slovakia

Slovak social policy school allowance marriage benefit SNS party state budget deficit

The Slovak National Party (SNS) has submitted legislative proposals to increase financial support for families and newlyweds. One key proposal seeks to raise the one-time allowance for children entering their first year of primary school from 110 euros to 200 euros. Additionally, the party proposes a recurring 30-euro increase for parents at the start of every subsequent school year to help cover the costs of school supplies and clothing.

Another SNS initiative proposes a one-time social benefit of 500 euros for couples entering their first marriage to assist with the costs of establishing a new household. This benefit would apply only to unions between a man and a woman where both partners are marrying for the first time.

Economists have raised concerns regarding these proposals, noting that they come at a time when the state is facing a significant budget deficit. Critics, including economist Radovan Ďurana, suggest that the new expenditures lack specific targeting and could further strain the national treasury, especially following the recent abolition of the transaction tax.