Sutaj Estok Acknowledges Idea of Early Election if Parliament Fails to Pass Laws

(STVR, Sobotne dialogy, March 15) Speaking on STVR's political talk show 'Saturday Dialogues', Interior Minister and Voice-SD leader Matus Sutaj Estok said that if Parliament is unable to pass beneficial laws from the government, the debate on early election is legitimate, while Christian Democrats (KDH) party leader Milan Majersky blamed the government for failing to address real problems of Slovak people. "If Parliament isn't functional, then questions about early election are legitimate. If Parliament sabotages the government's efforts to help people, it's absolutely legitimate," said Sutaj Estok. Majersky reminded that the settlement of disputes and the election of the House chair are constantly being postponed. "The disagreements within the government coalition are because everyone wants to protect their 'spot', their ministry, position... This is a government of indifference. Indifference to healthcare, education, growing poverty, and rising prices," emphasised the KDH leader. Sutaj Estok believes that Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) will manage to resolve the situation in a way that ensures the coalition has the support of a greater number of MPs. Majersky didn't answer the question of how KDH will approach the proposed amendment to the Constitution by the premier. He spoke about his own proposal for an amendment. Sutaj Estok and Majersky welcome the convening of a roundtable on the topic of defence, announced by President Peter Pellegrini. According to Majersky, all parliamentary parties, including the 'Slovakia' party, should be invited. Both agreed on the need to protect Europe's external borders. Sutaj Estok confirmed that the number of illegal border crossings has increased on the border with Ukraine. According to him, illegal migration has decreased since the current government took office. Majersky added that illegal migration has also decreased because the EU has started to "think reasonably" about the problem. lin