BRATISLAVA, July 2, (WEBNOVINY) – Leaders of the coalition parties have staved off the crisis between the liberal party SaS and Christian Democrats. On Friday night, the partners clarified their positions. SaS leader Richard Sulik apologized to KDH Chairman Jan Figel for the botched voting when seven SaS lawmakers did not support Figel’s revision of the construction law that would increase fines for illegal construction projects. “I have accepted the explanation as wall as the apology and even the assurance that we will abide by the rules and agreements,” Figel remarked following the Coalition Council.
Sulik assured Figel that the entire SaS deputy caucus will back the revision in the next vote. He did not tell reporters whether the botched voting was a mistake or a signal of disapproval of some moves made by KDH. “I do not see the slightest reason to comment on this,” the speaker of the parliament responded. Prime Minister Iveta Radicova admitted that conflicts occur now and then in a coalition with strong bonds. She is convinced that the ties in the coalition are firmly rooted and will not be shattered by some storm. A spark of love as well as a spark of tension is possible among partners with good relationships, she added.
The prime minister observed that the coalition will experience a difficult year, with reforms of the tax and levy system and the labor market, employment increase and a gradual increase of real wages high on the agenda. “We have this commitment and we are going to fulfill this commitment,” Radicova underscored. In her words, the coalition will back the solutions unitedly in the Cabinet as well as in the parliament.
However, the coalition quartet has not yet achieved accord on the loan that is to be extended to debt-ridden Greece. Sulik admitted that that the partners need to strive for an agreement because their opinions are evidently different. The prime minister asserted that neither the Cabinet nor the parliament would pass any unpremeditated solution that would afflict the citizens.
SITA