Election24: Dubovsky: I'm in Favour of Election System Reform in Slovakia

Bratislava, March 10 (TASR) - Presidential candidate Patrik Dubovsky is in favour of having an election system in Slovakia made of four constituencies. He believes that it's most important to have the president who's independent and he would slightly expand presidential powers relative to Parliament. This interview with Dubovsky forms part of a series of interviews with candidates for the post of Slovak president. -What do you view as the most important role of the Slovak president?- To serve as an authority in the protection of constitutional bodies and democracy in Slovakia. In addition, to communicate with armed forces in the protection of Slovakia's territorial integrity and sovereignty, but also to be active as part of NATO's collective defense. -Which power of the president do you find to be the most important, and without which power could you imagine operating in the presidential post, or which one do you not plan to use?- What's most important is to efficiently intervene in the legislative process of Parliament and actively address the House with speeches. I wouldn't go to meetings of former Slovak presidents. -Some political parties have spoken about the need for a change in the electoral system? Is this change needed? Would you sign off a change in the electoral system?- Lawmakers of Slovak Parliament represent interests of the entire country, but the principle of local affiliation is also important. Because of this, I would be in favour of an election system with four constituencies: Bratislava, western, central, and eastern Slovakia, from which lawmakers would be elected according to their residence and the proportionality in the number of its populations. -What is your attitude towards Slovakia's membership of NATO and the EU? We've been members of these organisations for 20 years.- Both organisations pose great benefits to Slovakia, in terms of security as well as the development and affiliation with modern and democratic free world. However, NATO is ripe for a reform, so that it could become relatively militarily efficient even without the direct participation of USA. The EU, on the other hand, would benefit from an internal reform to restore it back to its Christian roots. -The president of the Slovak Republic also holds the post of commander of the armed forces. What is your stance on financing the army, its modernisation and strengthening, also in view of what's happening east of Slovakia's borders?- The financing, training as well as the equipment and number of combatworthy soldiers of the Slovak Armed Forces must be rapidly increased and improved. The president must intensively communicate with the General Staff of the Slovak Armed Forces and the Defense Ministry. Soldiers must undergo more training under real combat conditions and military missions around the world. -What is your opinion of aid to Ukraine? Do you support Ukraine's membership of the EU?- The aid for Ukraine must become a priority of Slovakia's foreign affairs policy. If we're unable to help militarily, we must extend humanitarian aid as well as provide medical equipment and help the refugees. Ukraine's membership in the EU is necessary for the country's economy to grow stronger, so that it can defend itself against Russia. Accession talks must be quick and efficient. -Should the president be a counterbalance to the government? Why?- The president must, first and foremost, be independent. I would slightly expand the presidential powers relative to Parliament. President doesn't have to be a counterbalancing or countervailing force, but rather a respected partner to other constitutional bodies. A total of 11 candidates are running for the presidential post in this year's election. They are: Andrej Danko, Patrik Dubovsky, Krisztian Forro, Stefan Harabin, Ivan Korcok, Marian Kotleba, Jan Kubis, Igor Matovic, Milan Nahlik, Peter Pellegrini and Robert Svec. NOTE: TASR has asked all 11 presidential candidates for interviews. mf