The initiators of the Stop Fascism appeal have delivered a document to the MPs advising them on how to approach Kotleba - People's Party Our Slovakia (LSNS) in Parliament. They suggest that when reacting to the party's speeches, proposals and initiatives, the lawmakers follow a strategy resulting from the so-called Schweriner Weg, or Road declaration, which rejects cooperation with far-right ultra-nationalists. The appeal hopes to isolate and limit the influence of the party through five basic steps: MPs should not vote for proposals from the MPs of Kotleba's party, they should not nominate them into parliamentary positions and they should not seek support from Kotleba's MPs for their own proposals. Point 4 calls on MPs to not participate at any events and debates in the media where a member of the party is invited and point 5 calls on MPs to point to the risks of fascism at any chance possible.
The appeal of the initiative Stop fascism was sent via email on Monday to all MPs in Parliament with the exception of Kotleba's MPs, confirmed co-author of the appeal Irena Bihariová, a lawyer and chairwoman of the Association People Against Racism. "Despite the fact that the party of Kotleba - People's Party Our Slovakia (LSNS) - was democratically elected, MPs are not obliged by any legal or political means to cooperate with this party," claim the authors of the appeal. Moreover they say that by signing this strategy MPs will show a clear sign to the public that a fascist policy, regardless of how well it is masked by honourable intentions and promises cannot be discussed, received or supported in any parliament of a democratic state.
In reaction to this initiative, Marian Kotleba, leader of the party stated for the TASR press agency: "I feel that the MPs who will sign this initiative will put their participation in this cabaret above their work for the people who elected them into Parliament." He continued to say that his MPs are ready to put forward many good proposals that will be for the benefit of all people of Slovakia. "This is where the MPs will have the chance to show whether they will support the proposal or not." Kotleba claims that his MPs have correct relations with many MPs of other parties in parliament.
So far 20 MPs and over 1,500 Slovak personalities, experts and ordinary citizens have signed and supported the appeal Stop fascism.
