BRATISLAVA, October 21, (WEBNOVINY) — Leader of the strongest opposition party SMER-SD and former Prime Minister Robert Fico claims that unlike his successor Iveta Radicova who is merely deciding whose turn is to talk at cabinet sessions he strove to manage his Cabinet. “And this is a profound difference. We presently do not have to resort to standard rhetoric used by the opposition to hurt someone. Ms. Radicova does not have any political power because she is not a party leader. In all matters relevant for SDKU she completely depends on Dzurinda and Miklos,” Fico told SITA news agency.
Fico is convinced that if the prime minister does not have under real control his/her political party, then this fact influences how the prime minister is perceived by his/her coalition partners. “Bugar, Figel and also Sulik perceive her merely as a mediator between them and Dzurinda. Therefore, it is absolutely apparent now that when the Prime Minister says something to a cabinet member from another party, the minister will firstly turn to Dzurinda and only then s/he will debate it with the prime minister. And this was simply impossible with us, therefore, I dare say that the Prime Minister is absolutely weak, completely weak in terms of political power,” he underscored.
Fico who currently serves as Deputy Speaker of the Slovak Parliament is of the opinion that Radicova had been skillfully installed to her position but in case of failure she will be easily replaced because no political party will back her. Fico underscored that the leader of the Cabinet has to concentrate on major issues and forget about administrative details which burden him/her. The task of the prime minister is to make decisions and rule, insists Fico.
SITA
