BRATISLAVA, October 12, (WEBNOVINY) — Leaders of the ruling coalition trio of SDKU-DS, KDH and MOST-HID that supported the bailout fund in the parliamentary vote on Tuesday, which was also a confidence vote on the Cabinet were not able to say on Wednesday afternoon whether Prime Minister Iveta Radicova will lead the Cabinet until early elections that should be held on March 10.
“As far as the Cabinet is concerned, its fate will be also in the hands of the president, who I suppose will take action after his return in line with the Constitution. I do not see any reason for any speculations” said KDH leader Jan Figel. The three coalition leaders did not say clearly either whether ministers for the SaS party will be members of the old-new cabinet. According to the SDKU-DS Chairman Mikulas Dzurinda, it is exclusively up to Prime Minister Iveta Radicova . Figel finds it strange that one topples the government and then pretends as if nothing had happened. “But constitutionally, in accordance with the law, – yes, the membership in the cabinet is defined and as such it is respected also by us. Upcoming developments will probably give an answer to what will be next,” underscored Figel.
At the ongoing session, the Slovak Parliament should first approve a constitutional law on shortening the election term and then the enhanced European bailout fund. As far as the budget for 2012 passed by the Cabinet this Wednesday is concerned, Figel said that if political parties take a rational and responsible attitude, the necessary changes should find support also in parliament. “Regardless of whether it will be perceived as part of the pre-election campaign or preparation for elections or not, society needs improvements and rational changes,’ added Figel.
Figel also said that it will be necessary to slim down the extensive agenda of the ongoing parliamentary session while many issues will have to be postponed until later. He reacted to the question on whether the tax and payroll levy reform will go through. MOST-HID leader Bela Bugar added that following SaS voting on Tuesday, the coalition agreement no longer exists. “It means that all will have to be reassessed, also in parliament,” he specified.
SITA