Danko Calls for Government Goals Redefinition, Truban Pushes for Early Election

(STVR, 'O 5 minut 12', March 16) Speaking on STVR's discussion programme 'O 5 minut 12' (Five Minutes to Twelve) on Sunday, MP and Slovak National Party (SNS) leader Andrej Danko said that the government must set clear goals for its future and redefine its approach to managing public finances and foreign policy, meanwhile opposition MP and Progressive Slovakia (PS) party vice-chair Michal Truban stressed the need to discuss early election, stating that the current coalition will continue to govern in chaos. "For us, it's important that none of the 79 MPs declared a lack of confidence in the premier [Robert Fico from Smer-SD], as that would have created a problem," stated Danko, adding that it's crucial to discuss the future consolidation and other issues. "We want the government to fall, and for early election to take place as soon as possible," stated Truban, adding that this was also the topic of a conversation between PS leader Michal Simecka and MP Samuel Migal, who was expelled from Voice-SD. Truban clarified that they didn’t offer Migal anything and that the discussion was focused on ending the government According to Truban, Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD) should resign for failing to disclose the house in his asset declaration. Danko defended the minister, asserting that he has the right to protect his family and that SNS would not allow a session for his dismissal. Danko disagrees with the setup of the transaction tax, adding that state has failed to implement it effectively. Truban urged him to propose postponing the tax’s implementation in parliament. The PS vice-chair also stated that their party is against sending Slovak soldiers to Ukraine. Danko believes the war in Ukraine will end and dismissed claims that Russia wants to attack NATO countries. He stated that he would trust "the Russian" more than some Western nations and added that discussions on collective security within the EU are necessary, but he considers funding arms for Ukraine a waste of money. lin