Slovakia's parliament today approved a package of laws to strengthening the security of leading politicians and other people after the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fizzo last month, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
President Peter Pellegrini, who is a close ally of Fizzo, is expected to approve the laws and they will take effect on July 15.
The package has been criticized by the opposition and human rights organizations as an attempt to limit the right to assembly.
The new changes foresee stricter rules for protest rallies. It is planned that protests will not be allowed directly in front of government buildings, the presidency, parliament and judiciary buildings, as well as a minimum distance of 50 meters from such buildings.
The Ministry of the Interior will determine and prepare long-term residences for the Prime Minister, the President and the Speaker of the Parliament, who will be required to use them.
Security will also be provided to the leaders of all parliamentaryly represented political parties, the chief prosecutor and the president of the Constitutional Court.
Prime Ministers and Speakers of Parliament who have served at least two terms will receive regular remuneration after their terms expire. Currently, these payments are only available to former presidents.
Fizo took office last year after an election campaign with a pro-Russian and anti-American focus. He is recovering after being shot in the stomach while greeting supporters on May 15 in the town of Handlova. The attacker was arrested.