On Thursday Matovic called on Economy Minister Richard Sulik (Freedom and Solidarity/SaS) to resign. "I would be glad if he did so by Christmas," said Matovic in a talk show aired by private Radio Express on Thursday. "Sulik doesn't give a damn about people's lives and health," claimed the prime minister in reaction to Sulik's announcement that the Economy Ministry would not prepare an express amendment to the Public Procurement Act. The Economy Minister retained a calm demeanour, stating that the prime minister is dealing with an "extreme situation" involving the coronavirus outbreak.
Speaking on Radio Expres, Matovic called Sulik an "idiot who hasn't been able to buy [coronavirus] tests to save lives and health, protect the economy, be able to send children to school and open restaurants". He also called on the first deputy minister to resign. "I'd be pleased if he filed [his resignation] by Christmas," said Matovic, whose voice shook at times, with some strong language used.
The behaviour and public statements of Prime Minister and Economy Minister are creating tension in society and make no contribution towards dealing successfully with the pandemic, said Informatisation Minister Veronika Remisova (For the People) on Thursday. "This situation is unbearable in the long term, and it isn't only harming the Government, but also the For the People party, which is keeping its promises to its voters in the fight against corruption and the restoration of justice. Despite this, it has to deal constantly with an internal conflict in the coalition," said Remisova, adding that the break-up of the Government would result in a government of former prime minister Peter Pellegrini (Voice-SD).
If Prime Minister Igor Matovic (OLaNO) is convinced that one of his ministers has failed in his post, it is his duty to submit a motion to dismiss him to President Zuzana Caputova, stated the opposition extra-parliamentary Voice-SD party in its reaction, adding that „with regards to statements and the condition of the prime minister, we believe he should step down along with Mr. Sulik,".
Source: TASR
