Government Disagrees with Sutaj Estok's Dismissal, Views Proposal as Unfounded

Bratislava, November 26 (TASR) - The government decided at its session on Monday (November 25) that it disagrees with the opposition proposal to oust Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD), describing the motion as unfounded in all its parts. "The interior minister has proceeded in accord with the law in all the things he's done since his appointment," reads the government's stance. According to the government, Sutaj Estok has managed to end the war within the police, even though the Interior Ministry was in a critical condition in the previous period. "The end of the war within the police along with the halt to illegal migration are clear steps for greater security in Slovakia," stated the cabinet. According to the cabinet, the Police Corps has been reorganised so that all police officers can fully devote themselves to their specialisation and protect the public. It also pointed out that the Police Corps still lacks more than 3,000 police officers, which has left it overloaded. "This can lead to individual failures, but it doesn't automatically mean that it's the result of bad management," stated the government. Sutaj Estok should face a no-confidence motion in Parliament on Tuesday afternoon. It was initiated by opposition MPs for Progressive Slovakia (PS), Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) and the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH). They criticise him for the current situation in the Police Corps, for neglecting the police brutality problem and for a lack of action when it comes to bomb threats at schools. They also accuse him of bullying investigators and spreading hoaxes. Another stated reason is the unprofessional manner in which the assassination attempt on Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has been investigated. ko/df