Koaličný Hlas-SD is a different party than Smer-SD or SNS. The validity of the two social democracies was demonstrated in the parliamentary elections, when Hlas-SD had a record success as a new party. This was stated by the chairman of Hlasu-SD Matúš Šutaj Eštok in an interview for TASR. He claims that Hlas-SD has no ambitions to merge with Smer-SD. According to him, however, in a few decades it is possible that Hlas-SD will be the one that “swallows” Smer-SD.
“I think that the validity of the two social democracies was shown in the elections, when the Smer-SD won the elections, but we had a record success for the new party, namely 15 percent, so the voters responded and we will make our own policy.” said Šutaj Eštok for TASR. Disagreements in the coalition are therefore natural, according to him, because Hlas-SD is different from Smer-SD and SNS. Each coalition partner has its own priorities and requirements.
Šutaj Eštok also responded to the words of Czech ex-president Miloš Zeman, who in his speech on the anniversary of the founding of Smer-SD said that it was “abnormal” to have two social democracies in one country. He therefore advised the parties to merge. “I think that he is a wise person, but I do not agree with him on this, because we in Hlas certainly do not have such ambitions of merging. But maybe in a few decades, when President Fico is done with politics, Hlas will be the one that Smer can absorb,” said the Hlasu-SD leader.
Hlas-SD promoted the approval of the 13th pension as soon as possible in the coalition. He also wants the minimum wage to be at the level of 1,000 euros at the end of the election period. “As authentic social democrats, we want to go this way, the way of helping people,” recalled Šutaj Eštok. For Hlas-SD, the fight with non-governmental organizations is not important, according to him, he wants to fight for single mothers, young families and pensioners.
Šutaj Eštok also sees the difference between him and the chairman of Smer-SD and Prime Minister Robert Fico in the form of communication. “Chairman Fico has already served his long years in politics, maybe even he is sometimes a little irritated when communicating with the media, often quite rightly,” stated the leader of Hlasu-SD, who, according to his words, tries to communicate with the media politely.
