Premier Submits First Proposal for Personnel Change in Gov't to President

Bratislava, February 27 (TASR) - Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) submitted the first proposal for a personnel change in the government to President Petr Pellegrini on Thursday, the premier himself has announced on a social network. A part of the proposal is a declaration of support for the government and its manifesto, signed by four Independent MPs. Fico believes that he will submit the second personnel proposal to the president soon. He agrees with the head of state that the decision on personnel proposals could also include the election of the House chair. "I do respect the president's constitutional powers, as well as the procedure he requested regarding the personnel proposal. I am positive that it's just a matter of time when I present him with the second personnel proposal and the second declaration of support for the government," stated the premier. Fico originally wanted to submit to the president particular proposals for personnel changes on February 17 if no agreement was reached within Voice-SD and the Slovak National Party (SNS). The coalition agreement was amended last week, based on which Voice-SD and SNS lost one ministry each. The Investment and Tourism Ministries will now be controlled by the Smer-SD party. The coalition agreement was amended in response to the changes in the distribution of power in Parliament. Three MPs around Rudolf Huliak, leader of extra-parliamentary National Coalition, quit the SNS caucus. The three renegades have been joined by Roman Malatinec from Voice-SD. The number of MPs of Voice-SD caucus has also decreased after Radomir Salitros and Samuel Migal were expelled from it. ko/mcs