BRATISLAVA, August 1, (WEBNOVINY)- Slovak Parliament is to commence a debate on the program statement of the new center-right government on Wednesday, August 3. Speaker of Parliament Richard Sulik (SaS) convened the third parliamentary session this election term for 1 p.m. The program of the new government is the sole point of the parliamentary session starting midweek. Lawmakers are to open the discussion on the government’s program statement and hold a confidence vote in the Slovak government on the same day when the previous parliament approved the program prepared by the previous government of Robert Fico last election term. That time, 80 coalition deputies raised their hands to support the program of the new government. It was a surprise to everybody when LS-HZDS leader Vladmir Meciar stayed away from the crucial vote. A deputy for this ruling party, Jan Kovarcik offered a curious apology. He explained that his party boss had problems with parking his car and could not make it to parliament in time to take part in the vote.
It seems that the discussion on the government’s program statement will be tense due to turbulence unexpectedly caused by four parliamentary deputies from the civil association „Ordinary People“ elected to parliament by preferential votes from the bottom of the SAS slate. Igor Matovic and his three colleagues are not satisfied with the statement’s wording stating that none of their ideas were included in it. According to media reports, deputies from the Ordinary People are leaving the SaS deputy faction. If they quit the ruling coalition would lose its slim majority in parliament. However, Matovic says that they will support the program statement of the new center-right government and bills to be submitted to parliament in line with the government program. He says they will support government program despite the fact they lost trust in the new center-right coalition. If they did not vote for the government program, the government would fall; therefore, their inaction would be irresponsible in relations to the people who elected them, stated Matovic.
SITA