Opposition lawmakers filibuster bill on e-cash registers

Opposition lawmakers in the lower house of Parliament on Friday successfully obstructed a planned vote on a new bill on electronic cash registers, sought by the Finance Ministry to curb the grey economy and clamp down on tax evasion. The system is also to bring in an extra two billion crowns. The sum of two billion is accounted for in the draft state budget for 2016. If the bill on electronic cash registers is not passed in time, Finance Minister Andrej Babǐs said the shortfall would not be a major problem to cover from other sources. A final reading on next year's state budget is scheduled for December 9. The centre-right opposition opposes the electronic cash register system on the grounds it will add extra work and expenditures for business owners and end up hurting small businesses.

Author: Jan Velinger