Opposition Files Proposal to Convene Special House Session to Oust Government

Bratislava, January 15 (TASR) - Representatives of the opposition parties on Wednesday delivered to Parliament's registry office the signatures needed to convene a special House session with a no-confidence motion in the government being the sole point on the agenda. The opposition parties announced this move at a joint news conference on Tuesday (January 14). "We've made this move as the entire opposition represented in Parliament. It's an important moment. It doesn't happen often, nor has it happened often in the past that the entire opposition, despite all the differences, problems and personal relationships that may exist there, has united and made such a joint move," stated Progressive Slovakia (PS) leader Michal Simecka. Simecka stressed that Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) "doesn't care about governance" and has literally abandoned the country. According to him, Fico isn't addressing the problems troubling the citizens of Slovakia. Instead, he "flies around the world, bows to dictators and enjoys luxury", while the governing coalition is falling apart. KDH leader Milan Majersky praised the fact that the opposition is able to unite on values that connect it. According to him, these are universal values, such as democracy, the rule of law and justice. The opposition has lambasted the premier for his missteps, such as the "messy" financial consolidation and for leaning towards totalitarian regimes, stated Majersky, adding that Fico is navigating the country eastwards. "I am very pleased that we're standing here together and that the other opposition parties have joined our proposal from before Christmas following Fico's shameful visit to Russia," said MP Maria Kolikova (Freedom and Solidarity/SaS). According to her, the government under Fico's leadership is destroying the state and its institutions. She pointed out that public-service broadcaster Slovak Television and Radio (STVR) still doesn't have an authorised representative. She added that the government has eliminated key institutions that fought corruption in order to obtain impunity for its own people. According to her, Slovakia is losing its sovereignty, becoming a vulnerable country, meaning that it might become a puppet in the hands of other powers. MP Veronika Remisova ('Slovakia', 'For the People' and the Christian Union/KU) stated that Fico's comments regarding a student who refused to shake hands with President Peter Pellegrini earlier this week is just another reason why the government should fall. ko/df