Danko: Migal Grossly Violates Coalition Agreement

Bratislava, November 28 (TASR) - MP Samuel Migal (Voice-SD) grossly violated the coalition agreement with his decision not to take part in the vote on a bill sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, SNS chair Andrej Danko declared on Thursday. The vote was unsuccessful, as without Migal's vote the coalition lacks its narrow 76-member majority in Parliament. "Aside from MP Migal blocking a parliamentary session, he also grossly violated the coalition agreement. Under its stipulations, no MP of any party can act this way. No one wishes to curb the freedom to vote. I'd like to reiterate that we have no right and don't want to influence any lawmaker; however, we have the right to say that if this goes through the legislative process properly and MP caucuses voice no reservations, then we fully expect the bill to pass," said Danko at a press conference. Danko also responded to Migal's claim that Migal's amending proposal had been rejected. The SNS chair stated that Migal has not filed any official amending proposal. "Unofficially, though, he sent our lawyer a motion that is dangerous for society," said Danko, warning that Migal had wanted to divert financing under the Sports Support Fund to people close to him. Danko already discussed the situation with Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) and Voice-SD chair Matus Sutaj Estok. "I appreciate the approach by Sutaj Estok. He talked with him [Migal] and frankly I could see that Migal made him quite exhausted," he said. The SNS leader hopes that Parliament will pass the Sports Act amendment and the Sports Support Fund Act next week. "This isn't SNS's bill. It's a bill desired by the sports community." The bills were supposed to be put up to a vote on Wednesday (November 27). However, the House was inquorate with fewer than 76 lawmakers. Migal chose not to take part in the vote, arguing that his amending proposal hasn't been accepted. In Migal's view, it's still necessary to revise the bill. mf