Coalition preparing social package with minimum wage hikes

The governing coalition is preparing a substantial social package and will meet with Finance Minister Peter Kažimír (Smer-SD) to this effect after Easter, stated senior coalition Smer-SD party head Robert Fico after a Coalition Council session on Tuesday. Fico didn't specify many details regarding the content of the social package. He only mentioned hikes in the minimum wage and in state administration salaries. "We carry on vigorously and after Easter we're meeting the finance minister in order to discuss a huge social package for the Slovak public. The package will be mainly implemented in 2019," said Fico, adding that the social package will reflect the fact that Slovakia's economy is going well. The Smer-SD leader added that he wants to bring in a strong social dimension and stability into the governing coalition. Fico further confirmed the objective to reduce the public finance deficit.