Government pension reform now before final vote

A Czech government bill to slow the indexation of old-age pensions and tighten the rules for early retirement now stands before its third reading after a vote in the lower house on Tuesday. The vote followed a debate lasting over eight hours and concluded late in the evening.

MPs will vote on the matter for a final time next week at the earliest.

The minister of social affairs, Marian Jurečka, said on Tuesday that the move was necessary to maintain the long-term viability of the pension system. Alena Schillerová of main opposition party ANO said the only aim of the bill was to deprive present and future pensioners of money.