Matecna Likely to Face No-confidence Motion over Farmers' Subsidies

Bratislava, May 11 (TASR) – Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Gabriela Matecna (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee) is likely to face a no-confidence motion in Parliament over her failures concerning agriculture subsidies, with the Opposition starting to collect signatures to this effect, stated the leaders of Opposition parties Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), OLaNO and We Are Family at a press conference on Friday.

As many as 30 MPs’ signatures are needed to initiate a no-confidence motion.

“She’s failed many times not only in this post but also in the previous one as head of the Slovak Land Fund,” said SaS leader Richard Sulik, pointing to Matecna’s failures, including problems concerning thefts of farmers’ land and crops as well as physical attacks on farmers.

Both Sulik and We Are Family head Boris Kollar are curious to see how the Opposition’s proposal will be dealt with by new Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini (Smer-SD).

OLaNO leader Igor Matovic at the press conference also pointed to the shady allocation of agricultural subsidies in eastern Slovakia and issues concerning the transfer and sale of land. “When weeds grow on farmers’ fields, they spray them. We, Opposition politicians, can only use one tool against this weed that has grown in the post of agriculture minister – drawing attention to it and filing a no-confidence motion,” said Matovic.

Agriculture Ministry spokesman Michal Feik responded to the Opposition leaders by saying that Matecna will take up a stance on this matter next week, as at the moment she’s busy with a planned working trip.