BRATISLAVA, September 10, (WEBNOVINY) – After Thursday’s incident between SaS deputy Igor Matovic and SMER-SD deputy Robert Kalinak, deputies for the largest opposition party, the SMER-SD decided to boycott the Parliament. Matovic’s apology to Kalinak did not help. The opposition deputies are not present at Friday’s session, on which the vote on the draft constitutional amendment to partially curtail immunity of parliamentary deputies and judges from criminal prosecution was to be held. Deputies for the opposition SNS party have not shown up either, with the exception of one deputy.
Members of Parliament for the ruling coalition thus supported a procedural proposal of Peter Osusky (MOST-HID) to postpone the vote on the constitutional amendment for the October session. Ninety votes, which is constitutional majority, are required in order to pass a constitutional amendment. The ruling coalition has 79 seats in the 150-member parliament. Therefore, the ruling coalition needs the support of opposition deputies, too.
During the parliamentary debate on Thursday, deputy for the ruling coalition SaS Igor Matovic called Robert Kalinak of opposition SMER-SD a bad name after the latter one made an uncalled-for remark addressing Mr. Matovic. The session had to be interrupted.
SITA