Lower house to start debating controversial pensions bill

The lower house is due to start debating a government proposed bill which would cut back on the regular indexation of old-age pensions guaranteed by law according to the given measure of inflation. The move, which aims to save public finances at a difficult time, has raised an outcry from opposition deputies who say they will do everything in their power to prevent it, and threaten to filibuster for days if needed. The bill is being debated in a state of legislative emergency so as to be applied in June of this year, a procedure that has been criticized by constitutional lawyers. The opposition ANO party has said that if the ruling coalition, which has a majority in both houses, pushes the bill through Parliament they will file a complaint against it with the Constitutional Court.