Parliament: Viliam Tanko Joins Progressive Slovakia Caucus

Bratislava, October 3 (TASR) - MP Viliam Tanko is joining the caucus of the opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party, PS leader Michal Simecka announced at a news conference held jointly with Tanko on Thursday. The PS caucus will now have 33 members. Tanko was elected to Parliament for the 'Slovakia' party. He quit the caucus of 'Slovakia', 'For the People' and the Christian Union (KU) in late August. Since then he's been working as an Independent MP. In PS, Tanko should devote himself to issues such as fighting poverty and racism, plus youth development and sport. "Issues such as the condition of sports, youth development, social issues and equality are close to him. And these are all issues that are also very important for Progressive Slovakia," said Simecka about Tanko. He introduced him as a long-time sports representative of Slovakia in Olympic boxing, who has had to face poverty, a lack of opportunities and hatred towards otherness in his life. After quitting the caucus of 'Slovakia', 'For the People' and KU, Tanko pledged that he wouldn't support the governing coalition with his vote. "And under no circumstances will I join any governing party caucus," he said, adding that the governing coalition needs to be defeated. He decided to join the PS caucus because it is the biggest opposition party in Parliament. He wants to focus on human rights-related issues, especially ethnic minorities living in Slovakia, addressing poverty, reducing the salary gap between men and women and helping single parents. ko/df