The call comes a day before a parliamentary session in which MPs are expected to vote on a bill that would expand the eligibility rate for free school meals. The bill was already rejected in September and is expected to be shot down again.

The aforementioned group of charity organizations wants all children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds to be eligible for free lunch. They believe that the eligibility rate should be increased from 18 percent of the average monthly income per family member to 36 percent of the average monthly income per family member. Currently, the cut-off to qualify for the program is 182 euros per month per family member.

Charity organizations have warned that a 2011 law has done immense harm to children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. According to data from the Statistics Office, a total of 54,000 children in Slovenia are socially disadvantaged. However, it appears that MPs will reject the bill put forward by the opposition United Left (ZL).

Only the opposition United Left and New Slovenia (NSi) said they would vote in favour of the bill. The government said that they would instead wait for a report on the current system of subsidized school meals.

Al. Ma. (MMC), T. L. (RA SLO); translated by D. V.