BRATISLAVA, October 6, (WEBNOVINY) – The strongest opposition party SMER-SD will not support the Cabinet’s proposal to curb the immunity of parliamentary deputies from criminal prosecution, the leader of the party Robert Fico informed at a news conference on Wednesday. He claims that such criminalization of opposition deputies has never been here before and that is why, for protection of these opposition deputies, it is necessary that immunity from criminal prosecution is maintained. At the same time, he added that immunity from criminal prosecution does really not exists even today, as after the mandate of a deputy ends, criminal proceedings will wait for the deputy.
As another reason for not supporting the cancellation of the deputy immunity, he stated that Prime Minister Iveta Radicova uses the theme of deputy immunity to cover up scandals of the government and she wants to present herself as being able to gain opposition support for constitutional bills. “We decided not to assist Radicova in this game. We will not help her with this presentation,“ said Fico.
However, SMER-SD is willing to support cancellation of deputy immunity from prosecution related to transgression but on the condition that it will apply to other constitutional authorities as well. Fico stated that his party will support such curbing of deputy immunity if the right of way, right to use beacon lights on limousines, right to exceed the speed limit will not apply also to ministers, president, premier, speaker of parliament, heads of the Constitutional Court, Supreme Audit Office, National Security Office, Supreme Court as well as the Prosecutor General.
Fico also explained why he called off his planned meeting with the Prime Minister Wednesday. “I asked Premier Radicova for a private meeting last week on how to proceed at limiting the deputy immunity. I was surprised when the Cabinet’s office published that there should be a meeting today, but there should be no media. I am sorry about the moves of the Cabinet Office and the Premier as she does not honor elementary agreements,“ Fico stated. The meeting where both officials should have discussed curbing the deputy immunity had been agreed upon some time ago and the Prime Minister confirmed it for SITA news agency on Tuesday.
SITA
