House: Opposition Wants to Continue Obstruction, Organises Next Protests

Bratislava, December 14 (TASR) - The opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS), Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) and Christian Democrat (KDH) parties held a news conference on Thursday to assure the public that they are ready to continue the debate on consolidation measures, even with the help of obstruction and applying to the debate, as long as the government doesn't withdraw the "pro-mafia" package, which is how the opposition called proposals leading to the abolition of the Special Prosecutor's Office (USP) and to an amendment to the law on whistleblowers' protection. At the same time, the parties announced the next protests that will be held on Tuesday (December 19) in Bratislava, as well as in other towns and cities across Slovakia. "You can feel that Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) is nervous," stated PS chair Michal Simecka. He told people that the public pressure on the government coalition is working and thanked them for participating in the protests so far. According to him, Fico believed that Parliament would adopt changes quickly, even before Christmas so that Voice-SD leader Peter Pellegrini can launch his presidential campaign after the New Year. The next protest will take place on Tuesday on SNP Square in Bratislava, as well as in Nitra, Trencin and Povazska Bystrica (Trencin region). Simecka reiterated that the situation is crumbling under the hands of Parliamentary Chair Pellegrini, as the next course of the House session isn't known. However, the opposition is ready to hold the debate during the Christmas holiday as well. The PS leader also announced that some 50,000 people have already signed the call to withdraw an amendment to the Penal Code that suggests abolishing the Special Prosecutor's Office. The opposition claims that dragging out the debate in parliament has its meaning, stated Simecka, calling most of the contributions factual. He views it as a legitimate strategy. It is appropriate if the consolidation package is subject to criticism, as it deprives us of the future, stated Simecka. The governing coalition would like to approve the state budget draft for next year by Christmas. SaS caucus head Branislav Groehling doesn't see it as a problem if the year started with a provisional budget. ko/mcs