The member of the National Council (NR) of the Slovak Republic and the leader of the opposition Movement Slovakia Igor Matovič considers the submission of proposals for the introduction of the possibility of shortening the election period by referendum by the coalition to be vile. He reminds that the Slovak Movement also had such a proposal in the parliament during this election period, but the coalition parties did not support it.
He thinks that the coalition now wants to create a way to return to power with this change after the next parliamentary elections. This follows from his statement in the discussion show TA3 In politics.
“Suddenly they found out that they robbed the republic, they didn’t fulfill any of the pre-election promises, that actually they will probably lose the elections and they want to prepare a way to get back to power. We will certainly not assist the mafia in getting to power,” declared Matovič.
MEP and chairman of the extra-parliamentary movement Republika Milan Uhrík is in favor of introducing the possibility of shortening the electoral period by referendum. In this context, he also spoke about the need to change the quorum required for the validity of the referendum results. “Fifty percent quorum is proving to be highly ineffective,” he commented.
Politicians also commented on the July referendum, which was initiated with a petition by the non-parliamentary party Democrats. According to Matovič, Slovak President Peter Pellegrini “rightfully deleted” the question about the request to shorten the election period. “From the beginning, we told the Democrats that beware, the question about early elections is unconstitutional,” he pointed out.
Uhrík considers this referendum a waste of money. Two questions about the cancellation of the so-called life annuity and renewal of the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s Office (ÚŠP) and the National Criminal Agency (NAKA) are not worthy of a national referendum, according to him.
Matovič, in turn, asked the initiators of the referendum if they really wanted NAKA and ÚŠP to establish the current coalition. “We know how it would turn out, they would be organizations to protect the mafia and not to protect the victims of the mafia,” he said.
The debate was also about the package of pro-growth measures that the government is supposed to discuss next week. Matovič is curious about them. But he fears it won’t be “worth it”. Uhrík said that he cannot rate them, as they are not yet known. However, he called for economic stability and the abolition of the transaction tax. According to him, by having to prepare pro-growth measures, the government confirms that it has botched the consolidation of public finances.
Cooperation after the next elections to the National People’s Republic of Slovakia was also discussed. Matovič once again refused to cooperate with the current government parties. “If we help, we will help Šimeček’s party and co., but we will watch their fingers,Uhrík declared his willingness to negotiate with any “sane” coalition or opposition party. “With the exception of progressives,” he added. At the same time, Uhrík rejected accusations of extremism against the Republika movement. “We do decent, patriotic politics,” he said.
It was really stuffy in the TV studio and the politicians didn’t give a damn. In the middle of the speech, Uhrík declared that Matovič might need an “examination”. These words touched the ex-prime minister and he immediately struck back at Uhřík by calling him “Mr. Fascist”. At the same time, he accused the Republic of being obliged to sponsor Smer. Matovič added that when the time comes, he will present evidence about who really paid for the campaign of the Uhrík Party before the elections.
“You’re like a skunk, you come, you stink and there’s no evidence. And that’s how your fight against corruption looked like.” he responded Uhrik. He called the statements that someone else was paying for the campaign “complete bullshit and fabrications.”
