In one of the last debates ahead of the moratorium at the public broadcaster RTVS, representatives of opposition parliamentary parties concurred on the need to introduce material responsibility for politicians.
Representatives of the opposition criticised the governing coalition for its failure to do so. Béla Bugár, chair of junior member of the current Governing coalition Most-Híd party claimed that it was the largest governing Smer-SD that stopped the process. However, the latter was not represented in the debate, as both slate leader Peter Pellegrini and party chair Robert Fico were unable to attend due to health issues.
Freedom and Solidarity leader Richard Sulík pointed out that tools for property checks and punishments already exist in the Penal Code. Bugár noted that ex-justice minister Lucia Žitnanská (in office between 2016-2018, at the time representing Most-Híd) proposed the introduction of material responsibility for politicians, but the motion was rejected by Smer-SD.
According to MP of opposition Freedom and Solidarity Party Alojz Baránik, material responsibility means objective responsibility for the deficit of the entrusted values. For example, when a top public administration figure runs illegal tenders or signs an unprofitable contract he or she should be held accountable for the wrongdoing or losses which are a consequence of their activity during their mandates.
