President: Opening Session of Parliament to Be Held on Friday

Bratislava, March 16 (TASR) – The opening session of Parliament will be held on Friday, March 20, President Zuzana Caputova stated on Monday following her meeting with outgoing Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini (Smer-SD) and OLaNO leader Igor Matovic, who’s been tasked with forming a new government.

The outgoing government will also resign on Friday and the new government will be appointed by Caputova on Saturday (March 21). The president also announced that she’s accepted all nominations for Matovic’s government.

The president praised the fact that both outgoing and incoming prime ministers have declared co-operation and a constructive attitude in the handing over of power. “I’m glad that we’ve agreed that the handover and takeover will take place in absolute co-operation and in a constructive way,” she said, adding that everyone is aware of the situation in Slovakia in relation to the new coronavirus.

The head of state confirmed that the meeting will be affected by security measures in view of the spread of the coronavirus. Outgoing Parliamentary Chair Andrej Danko (Slovak National Party/SNS) is, according to the president, ready to ensure them.

The founding parliamentary session will be chaired by Andrej Danko. MPs will swear the following oath: “I pledge on my honour and conscience to be faithful to the Slovak Republic. I will fulfil my duties in the interests of the people. I will observe the Constitution and other laws and work to bring them to life.” They should then elect a new parliamentary chair, to whom Danko will immediately hand over the session. We Are Family leader Boris Kollar is expected to become the new parliamentary chair.

Another secret vote will be related to parliamentary committee chairs. MPs will also form their caucuses at the opening parliamentary session.