BRATISLAVA, June 12, (WEBNOVINY) — Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico thinks that there exists no fundamental problem that would justify a postponement of ratification of the European permanent rescue mechanism (ESM). Fico gave a news conference on Tuesday following his talks with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, who is briefly visiting Slovakia at his own initiative. Fico informed van Rompuy that this point is high on the agenda of the next parliamentary session. “I have sent out invitations to all chairmen of parliamentary parties in order to win broader support. The topic of the talks will not only be [fiscal] consolidation but also the issue of ratification of the permanent rescue bailout fund,” said Fico. He insists that also Slovakia has to show that it has responsibility and is able to do its homework.
Van Rompuy underscored that Slovakia has to continue its efforts to contribute to the eurozone’s stability,. “In this association, I welcome the Slovak government’s commitment to promptly ratify the agreement on the European Stabilization Mechanism as well as the new fiscal agreement,” he said.
Opposition politicians in Slovakia think that the ESM vote has to be postponed until as late date as possible. They propose to wait for how the situation develops and what will be the opinion of the eurozone’s large countries, in particular of Germany and France. To approve the permanent rescue mechanism requires 76 votes and thus the ruling SMER-SD party that has 83 MPs has the decision in its hands.