Monitor: Danko and Majersky: Health Sector in Need of Reforms

(STVR, 'O 5 minut 12', October 20) The health sector is ripe for a systemic reform, as money get lost in it inefficiently, SNS leader Andrej Danko and KDH chair Milan Majersky concurred on RTVS's discussion programme 'O 5 minut 12' (Five Minutes to Twelve) on Sunday. Danko repeatedly heaped criticism at ex-health minister Zuzana Dolinkova (Voice-SD). Both Danko and Majersky hope that the necessary measures will be unveiled by new Health Minister Kamil Sasko (Voice-SD), but Majersky added that the health portfolio must receive attention also from the Prime Minister. "This can't remain the agenda of only a single governing political party. The Prime Minister must get personally involved to make sure that sufficient financial resources are routed to the health sector and a good consolidation is carried out," he said. Also broached was the issue of the House chair post, left vacant since the 2024 presidential election in April due to ongoing disagreements within the coalition as to which party should claim the post. Danko stated that he respects the fact that House Vice-chair Peter Ziga (Voice-SD) has been tasked with heading Parliament in a temporary capacity. "Even though I harbour objections to him having full powers," he said. Majersky claimed that the fact Parliament hasn't had a proper chair for so long is an embarrassment to Slovakia. The party chairmen discussed the military conflict in Ukraine as well. Danko reiterated that he's against Ukraine joining NATO and, at this stage, even the EU, and rejects supplies of weapons to Kiev. "We have a problem within the coalition over this," he said. Majersky declared that he supports Ukraine's accession to both the EU and NATO, but only after Slovakia's eastern neighbor meets all necessary prerequisites to join. mf