PS: Prime Minister Has Left People, Should Explain his Meeting with Putin

Bratislava, January 2 (TASR) - Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has left the people of Slovakia and doesn't address their problems only his own, and he should explain his trip to Moscow and meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to Parliament, to which he answers, Progressive Slovakia (PS) chair Michal Simecka stated at a press conference on Thursday. Simecka added that together with its opposition partners PS will initiate the convening of a special emergency House session over Fico's visit to Russia. "We'll demand the passing of a parliamentary resolution to make it clear whether or not there's a majority in the legislative body, which represents the people, for a pro-Western foreign affairs policy of Slovakia. That's the first step, a sort of inevitable test, it could be said. Remaining on the table is also the issue of casting a no-confidence motion in the Prime Minister," said Simecka. The ouster of the Government will be tabled at the moment when it's clear it stands realistic odds of success, however. PS also announced it has initiated the convening of the House European Affairs Committee, slated for January 10, where they wish to summon Prime Minister Fico and have him explain his visit to Moscow. At the press conference, Simecka noted that Slovakia will face a challenging year in terms of economy over the tax hikes, bound to affect every single family. "We're talking hundreds of euros yearly and this is happening over the so-called consolidation that the Government came up with, which is false, as it fails in reality to reduce our debt, it is anti-social and, let's say the truth, also needlessly drastic. Furthermore, the senseless transaction tax is to be introduced on the back of this consolidation in April and contribute even more to the higher prices because firms will translate these costs into the price of their goods and services," he warned. mf