Voice Wants Agreement on New House Chair by Year-End, Sutaj Estok Supports Rasi

Bratislava, November 25 (TASR) - The co-governing Voice-SD party wants the coalition to agree on the name of the new House chair by the end of the year, party leader Matus Sutaj Estok told a news conference on Monday. Sutaj Estok said that the name will be discussed within the party's presidium, but his priority is for the post to go to Richard Rasi, who is currently serving as investment minister. He views the election of the House chair as one of the steps that need to be taken to stabilise the governing coalition. "This is unfinished homework for the governing coalition. I will do my utmost for agreement to be reached. I believe that [Slovak National Party (SNS) chair] Andrej Danko in particular is aware of this, as I can say that the premier perceives this situation in the same way as our political party," said Sutaj Estok when describing the situation concerning the new House chair. He wants at least an agreement between the three coalition parties to be reached by the end of the year. "It's the second-most senior constitutional post, meaning that in a short time we should agree and elect a House chair who will come from the Voice-SD party," he added. Voice-SD has repeatedly emphasised that it wants to see Rasi in this post. Later, there were reports that Sutaj Estok might fill the post. "Leave it to us, within the framework of the presidium we'll agree whom we will nominate for the post of House chair ... For me, the priority [for the post] is Richard Rasi," said Sutaj Estok. A Coalition Council meeting will take place on Monday afternoon. According to Sutaj Estok, it will deal with the agenda of the next House session and the no-confidence in him, which was initiated by the opposition. The coalition leaders will also speak about energy aid. "Economy Minister Denisa Sakova will present Voice's proposal for compensation for rising gas prices as of the new year," said Sutaj Estok. The aim is to protect households from growing energy prices. ko/df