Premier Fico Sees No Reason to Dismiss Ministers Simkovicova and Susko

Bratislava, August 14 (TASR) - I see no reason to dismiss Culture Minister Martina Simkovicova (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee) and Justice Minister Boris Susko (Smer-SD), Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) said in a video posted on a social network on Wednesday, adding that in his opinion, both have acted and are acting in accordance with the law. "There's no reason for me, as prime minister, to even consider tabling a motion to dismiss the ministers who are now targets of the opposition. Anyone who looks objectively at the actions of the culture minister and the justice minister must agree that they have acted and are acting lawfully and that they are also taking ordinary managerial decisions in accordance with the law," stated the premier, adding that the same view will be held by the entire coalition in the event that the opposition tabled a no-confidence motion in these ministers in Parliament. Fico pointed out that he respects the different views of the opposition. However, at the protest called by the opposition parties on Tuesday (August 13), he lacked legal and factual arguments as to why the ministers should be ousted. "The protest was therefore along the lines that the ruling coalition is basically a bunch of criminals who rape, murder, who are stupid and who should resign voluntarily," he said, noting that because of the threats, the Interior Ministry had to increase protection for the culture minister. The premier further criticised the fact that the chairs of the parties that organised the protest, that is Michal Simecka (Progressive Slovakia/PS) and Branislav Groehling (Freedom and Solidarity/SaS), didn't speak at the protest. In this context, he pointed out that they were only serving the liberal and progressive media and NGOs. However, he said, this won't absolve them of political responsibility if there is another assassination attempt on a representative of the ruling coalition. He also praised the fact that the opposition Christian Democrats (KDH) hadn't joined the organisation of the protest. The premier admitted in the end that protests organised by political parties are a natural part of political work. Thousands of people gathered in SNP Square in Bratislava on Tuesday evening to protest against the actions of the government, criticise the current situation in culture, personnel changes in cultural institutions and express their concerns about the rule of law. Speakers lambasted the justice minister, for example, for his decision to appeal and release former special prosecutor Dusan Kovacik from prison. The rally was organised by the opposition PS and SaS parties. am/mcs