Three out of four governing parties, Ordinary People, For the People and We Are Family, agreed that the only scenario for the way out of the coalition crisis is for the remaining coalition Freedom and Solidarity party (SaS) to back down from its ultimatum. Ministers from this party are ready to resign on August 31, if Igor Matovič head of the Ordinary People party does not resign from the post of Finance Minister.
However, the remaining three parties suggest that the coalition should agree on new conditions of cooperation. Prime Minister Eduard Heger submitted five proposals to the partners to change the coalition agreement - they relate to the exchange of state secretaries at the Finance and Economy Ministries, the functioning of coalition councils without Ordinary People leader Igor Matovič and Freedom and Solidarity head Richard Sulík, as well as the creation of an arbitration commission for coalition disputes, in which each party would have three members. "However, in the event of an equality of votes, SaS would have the decisive vote," added Heger. There should also be sanctions for attacks on a coalition partner, for example the loss of the post of parliamentary committee chairman. Heger also suggested defining a clear plan of measures to help people during the energy crisis and other redistribution of ministries.
Sulík called PM proposals “rational” and “reasonable solutions”, stressing that they are ready to discuss them once their basic demand is met. However, according to Sulík who also offered his resignation in exchange for the departure of Matovič, everything is leading to their departure. “The Government does not fall with our exit, it can continue to rule. We will support proposals that we will consider to be reasonable." noted Sulík.
According to the opposition Voice-SD party, the coalition talks only confirm its agony and insists that PM Heger ask for a vote of confidence. Non-parliamentary Slovak National Party calls for early election.
Coalition negotiations are set to continue on August 26.
Source: TASR
