Peter Žiga (Hlas-SD), the House Vice-chair temporarily tasked with heading Parliament, opened a parliamentary session on Tuesday by allowing new lawmakers, set to replace legislators who have become government ministers, take their oaths.
The replacement lawmakers who were sworn in are Miroslav Radačovský, who ran on the slate of SNS, along with Jan Hruby and Andrea Szaboova from the Hlas-SD candidate list.
Based on a new coalition deal, Rudolf Huliak left Parliament to become the new tourism and sport minister, while Samuel Migal took the helm of the Investment, Regional Development and Informatisation Ministry. In addition, Radomir Šalitroš became an Investment Ministry state secretary.
At the end of Tuesday's session, MPs discussed several government proposals sponsored by the Defence Ministry, presented by Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD).
The draft law on certain measures to increase Slovakia's resilience in the field of defence and security and on conscription was discussed. The ministry proposes the formation of a National Defence Force to replace the active reserves of the armed forces. These should be accessible to a wider range of the population. The system of remuneration of reservists is also to be changed. The proposal also includes the creation of a Gendarmerie Corps, which could assist the police in maintaining public order.
On Wednesday morning, coalition member SNS announced it won't back the deployment of Slovak soldiers to the NATO multinational brigade in Latvia or changes in active army reserves during voting on these matters in Parliament.
At the same time, SNS refuses to back a bill on certain measures to increase Slovakia's resilience in the field of defence and security and on conscription sponsored by the Defence Ministry. SNS doesn't like the idea of establishing a Gendarmerie Corps that could help the police to maintain public order. According to SNS, the word gendarmerie "is reminiscent of the regulations of the Austrian monarchy and is associated with a totalitarian approach towards the Slovak nation." However, SNS admitted that the law may stem from good intentions. Therefore, it will abstain from voting on this point in Parliament.
On Wednesday after 5 p.m., the lawmakers are set to elect the House chair as well as members of the Slovak Television and Radio (STVR) Council.
Source: TASR
