Pellegrini: If Matecna Failed, Evidence Needs to Be Presented

Unfair practices in Slovak agriculture are being squeezed out and many things can’t happen at present which used to happen in the past, with Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Gabriela Matecna (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee) to become a symbol of positive changes at the ministry, Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini (Smer-SD) stated on RTVS’s politics discussion programme ‘Sobotne dialogy’ (Saturday Dialogues).

“I don’t take the opinion from the prosecutor-general. We must look at what date is on the many files the prosecutor is checking and when the system was abused or when an unfair action occurred,” said Pellegrini in response to the words of the prosecutor-general who stated that the system set up in agriculture is “sick” and that there are mechanisms that destroy small farmers.

According to the premier, many things that could have happened in 2016, can no longer happen in 2018 with regard to the changes in legislation and many measures. “To speak generally that the system is sick and things don’t work is too bold,” said Pellegrini.

Pellegrini refused to evaluate the share of Agriculture Minister Matecna in the agricultural issues discussed, and stressed that she’s a nominee of SNS, which is primarily responsible for her activities. “If she actually failed, evidence needs to be presented,” said the prime minister, who didn’t notice matters casting doubts on Matecna’s authority to lead the ministry. “The minister should now become a symbol of changes and prepare another set of serious measures that will show that such actions won’t happen in Slovakia any more,” noted Pellegrini.