Slovak parliament approves decision to terminate military aid to Ukraine

This is reported by Reuters.

The coalition adopted its political program last week. It includes a promise to introduce a special tax on bank profits and measures to reduce mortgage interest rates. Special levies will be imposed on excess profits in other unspecified sectors.

It aims to reduce the public administration deficit to 0.5% of GDP in 2024. The country is facing the largest deficit in the eurozone, which is estimated at almost 7% of GDP this year.

The program also includes Fico's election promise to end Slovakia's official military aid to Ukraine and to seek an end to hostilities while recognizing Ukraine's international borders.

The opposition voted against the program. But the parliament gave it a vote of confidence.

• On October 26, Robert Fico told the European Commission that he would not provide military aid to Ukraine. This was part of his election campaign, which helped Fico win the parliamentary elections.
• Fico also said that EUR 50 billion of EU aid to Ukraine should include guarantees that the funds will not be misappropriated. The politician called Ukraine one of the most corrupt countries in the world.
• On November 6, the head of the Slovak government said that he would not prohibit private companies from supplying weapons to Ukraine. But state support will be limited to the humanitarian sphere.