Speaking on TA3's discussion programme 'V politike' (In Politics) on Sunday, President Zuzana Caputova admitted that the government failed to communicate measures regarding illegal migration in a timely manner. However, she declared that the issue was alive and present in the executive for the whole of summer and that the announcement of specific measures two days after opening of the public discussion on the issue was the result of previous steps. "It is good for the government to communicate proactively, especially if it has what to communicate," stated the President. She admitted the need for more communication on the government's part on other issues as well.
When commenting on the first 100 days of the caretaker government, Caputova spoke about crisis management. She also pointed to the specific fact that all political parties are in opposition to the government. The Head of State praised the caretaker government for managing to identify problems that it can address in a short time and with limited powers. She also highlighted the preparation of systemic measures for the future cabinet. Despite the criminal prosecution of two directors of the Slovak Intelligence Service (SIS), the president said she still has no reason to say that she doesn't trust the intelligence service. She rather sees it as personal failures. Therefore, she didn't rule out holding a debate on how to prevent them in the future.
The President does not rule out that before the end of her term of office she will present a report on the state of the republic in the National Council (NR) of the Slovak Republic. "We are in a specific situation. A new parliament, a new composition will be formed in the fall," she said. According to her, timing is important. "We are trying to choose it in such a way that it makes sense. (...) However, it is one of the possibilities and rights of the president to step up and use this option, so I will probably do so," she added. In connection with the upcoming parliamentary elections, the head of state said that he would appeal to the people to exercise their democratic right and go to vote. She declared that she would entrust the winner with forming the government. "It is a constitutional tradition. It is an expression by the head of state of respect for voters," she pointed out. She regrets that some political entities are exploiting people's frustration and anger during the election campaign.
(TASR)
