Pellegrini on Friction between SNS and Most-Hid: Coalition Still Working

Pellegrini on Friction between SNS and Most-Hid: Coalition Still Working

Kezmarok, October 23 (TASR) – The coalition remains operational and still needs to adopt essential measures, said Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini (Smer-SD) on Wednesday in reaction to the statement made by Parliamentary Chair and head of the coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) Andrej Danko that he doesn’t intend to take part in any more Coalition Council sessions.

“Now, it will be key whether the coalition will or won’t be able to make decisions, my main concerns are those concerning the budget. This issue will show whether we can still find consensus or if everyone has already locked themselves in their own corners,” said Pellegrini.

According to Pellegrini, the coalition is definitely functioning; it’s cooperation between the coalition parties in Parliament that has actually taken a hit. “There’s no friction in the Government, I sense it in Parliament instead,” he said.

“I expect that the Government will hold a normal session in Kezmarok [on Wednesday],” he noted, adding, however, that he doesn’t know whether Danko has given certain instructions to SNS ministers. “If he hasn’t, I don’t expect any drama at the session,” he said.

Danko’s statement came after Parliament on Tuesday rejected two SNS proposals, namely an amendment to the law on public procurements and a proposal to set up a tourism and sport ministry. MPs from the coalition Most-Hid party abstained from voting on the two proposals, which Danko described as “a stab in the back”. He added that his party won’t support draft legislation from Most-Hid.