Pellegrini Acknowledges Idea of Early Election, Criticises Recent Legislation

(STVR, 'Sobotne dialogy', April 12) Speaking on STVR's politics programme 'Sobotne dialogy' (Saturday Dialogues), President Peter Pellegrini acknowledged the possibility of early general election, pointing to disputes within the coalition. "I'm not sure if an early election would help us get out of this mess, or if we would just end up in the same situation, even after the early election, but with a different group in charge. But of course, as long as the government majority holds a 79 or 78-seat majority in Parliament, thinking about early election isn't even an option," he noted. Pellegrini stated that he would respect people's decision in either early or regular election and would be prepared to negotiate with the 'Slovakia' party or the 'Republic' party. The president also added that he won't sign the amendment to the law regarding early retirement and pension benefits for prosecutors. He'll return it to the MPs as he has objections to allowing the Prosecutor General to qualify for a pension after just four years in office. The head of state also criticised the law on compensation for fines imposed for violating measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was approved in Parliament this week. He stated that he'll have a serious problem signing it and described the legislation as a dangerous precedent. "I don't know how the lawmakers who proposed this bill will be able to look the relatives of COVID-19 victims in the eye," he added. lin