Parliament: SNS Won't Back Deployment of Slovak Soldiers to Latvia

Bratislava, March 26 (TASR) - The coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) won't back the deployment of Slovak soldiers to the NATO multinational brigade in Latvia or changes in active army reserves during voting on these matters in Parliament, SNS spokesperson Zuzana Skopcova informed TASR on Wednesday. "Our soldiers have no business operating on the border with Russia. It's inconceivable that, on the one hand, Slovak Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) wants to visit Russia on May 9 and shake hands with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, while on the other, Slovakia is sending soldiers to the border with Russia," said Skopcova. At the same time, SNS refuses to back a bill on certain measures to increase Slovakia's resilience in the field of defence and security and on conscription sponsored by the Defence Ministry. This will be voted on at its first reading. SNS doesn't like the idea of ​​establishing a Gendarmerie Corps that could help the police to maintain public order. According to SNS, the word gendarmerie "is reminiscent of the regulations of the Austrian monarchy and is associated with a totalitarian approach towards the Slovak nation." However, SNS admitted that the law may stem from good intentions. Therefore, it will abstain from voting on this point in Parliament. "Defence Minister Robert Kalinak should think about reintroducing compulsory military service instead," said Skopcova. ko/df