Opposition Unhappy That House Has Not Yet Debated Dismissal of Sutaj Estok

Bratislava, December 2 (TASR) - Following a second unsuccessful attempt to convene Parliament on Monday for a debate, the opposition parties have criticised the failure to discuss a no-confidence motion in Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD), stating that if a special session on his dismissal is not convened, they will resubmit the motion. A number of MPs from opposition parties have commented on the situation. "I think this just confirms that the coalition is unwilling to negotiate the dismissal of Minister Sutaj Estok. I see this as an absolutely cowardly gesture on the part of the coalition. I'll continue to consult with the other chairs of opposition parties, but I assume that we'll submit this motion again," said head of the opposition PS caucus Martin Dubeci. Maria Kolikova (SaS) believes that the coalition is going along with Premier Robert Fico's (Smer-SD) decision to continue with the debate on the dismissal in February. She argued that if the special session fails to open on Tuesday, the opposition parties will collect the necessary signatures again, appealing to the Slovak Constitution, which states that if the opposition requests a session, one should be held. The second attempt on Monday to convene Parliament to discuss a no-confidence motion in Sutaj Estok was again unsuccessful, as Parliament was inquorate, with only 67 legislators present. Another attempt to dismiss the interior minister has been slated for 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday (December 3). lin/df