Cabinet discussing purchase of howitzers

The Cabinet's regular session on Wednesday included discussions about a Finance Ministry-sponsored amendment to the law on housing construction savings. Defence Minister Peter Gajdoš (SNS) also submitted to the Cabinet a proposal for the purchase of 25 pieces of self-propelled gun howitzer Zuzana 2, which should be delivered to Slovakia via the state-owned joint-stock company Konstrukta Defence. The implementation and delivery of this weapon system, which is set to take place during 2018-22, should not exceed the limit of €175 million. In addition, the ministers should also discuss the Cabinet's joint stance on a no-confidence motion in Agriculture Minister Gabriela Matečná (an SNS nominee), which was submitted to the Parliament by the Opposition. The Government does not agree with Matečná's ousting and views the Opposition's motion only as a way of scoring political points. Parliament is to vote on the Agriculture Minister's dismissal on Thursday.