At a news conference before the beginning of Tuesday’s session of parliament MP Roman Malatinec announced that he has quit the Hlas-SD caucus and party and will join the
extra-parliamentary National Coalition led by MP Rudolf Huliak (Independent).
Malatinec cited his efforts to support culture and regional development as the reason for his decision, claiming that he did not have adequate space for this in Hlas-SD. He said that he would support the government manifesto.
Malatinec felt that he lacked support in promoting priorities in the field of culture. "I've always been a person who supports the governing coalition," he said, adding that he's had reservations when it came to some issues, however. In the National Coalition he wants to focus on supporting the protection of cultural heritage and the development of the regions, especially in Banska Bystrica region.
Huliak praised Malatine's decision to join his party. "At the next congress, he'll be appointed a National Coalition vice-chair and a presidium member for culture, regional development and local government," he said. Huliak declared that the Independent MPs centred around him are ready to help the coalition to keep to the government manifesto, adding that negotiations with Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) are still underway. They will support the construction and health-care bills that are currently being discussed by Parliament. The rest will be in the hands of the premier, i.e. how he comes to an agreement with them.
MP Jan Ferencak (Hlas-SD) told journalists that he does not intend to join the National Coalition and wants to remain in Hlas-SD. "I feel that I'm an integral part of the Hlas party," he said, adding that he'll support both laws that are on the agenda of the Parliament session. Ferencak said that the two Hlas renegades, Samuel Migal and Radomir Salistros (both Independent) have told him that they will back the bills as well.
Source: TASR
