Simecka Praises President's Appeal to Address Problems of People in Slovakia

Bratislava, January 1 (TASR) - In a response to the New Year's address of President Peter Pellegrini, leader of the opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party Michal Simecka praised his appeal to deal with the problems of the people in Slovakia, however, he would appreciate if the head of state would also take active steps. "I consider the key passage in the president's address to be his call on the government to finally start addressing the problems of the people here at home, in Slovakia. Because there are a lot of these problems that bother people and Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) is instead devoting himself to foreign policy adventures that only harm Slovakia's interests and drift us somewhere to the east," he said. Simecka also criticised the prime minister's New Year's speech. In his words, Fico proved that he has forgotten what his basic duty is. "He is again talking only about himself, whining, giving out football metaphors, talking about enemies and geopolitics. He has forgotten that his job - for which he receives a royal salary and a future annuity - is to improve the lives of the people in Slovakia," he noted. am/mcs