Fico to run for SMER-SD leader

The opposition party SMER-SD will nominate Juraj Blanar as Deputy Speaker of Parliament, party head Robert Fico stated outside of the party's headquarters on Tuesday. The party chairman also confirmed that he would run for re-election at an upcoming party congress. Fico called on those defectors who left with Deputy Speaker of Parliament Peter Pellegrini to quickly end their party membership. He has repeatedly called on Pellegrini to resign as Deputy Speaker of Parliament because he is not entitled to the post. According to him, the presidency of SMER-SD will meet again on Monday or Tuesday, where all chairmen of district organizations who do not want to continue their cooperation with SMER-SD will be removed. They will then appoint new heads.