Smer-SD leader Robert Fico is interested in holding the prime ministerial post and wants to have a new government formed as soon as possible. Fico declared that, as the prime minister, he will strive to ensure that the standard of living in Slovakia isn't decreased. He stated that the draft state budget approved by the caretaker cabinet obliges them in no way and that the consolidation of public finance cannot be done at the expense of the achieved social standards.
Fico thanked Hlas-SD leader Peter Pellegrini and SNS leader Andrej Danko for signing the memorandum, which he described as an important political document. "It's the basis of the coalition agreement that we want to conclude as soon as possible," adding that it contains the basic features of the new agreement between the three parties who decided to create a coalition, form a government and create parliamentary bodies.
According to published reports Smer-SD in addition to the post of Premier will have 6 ministries. Hlas-SD will occupy the post of Speaker of Parliament and head 7 ministries while SNS will have 3 ministries, one of which will be newly created. Fico declared that they will do their utmost to shorten the "time of uncertainty" in the country and to present the content of the coalition agreement to the public as soon as possible, which will also enable the creation of parliamentary bodies and the appointment of a government. Fico wants to have the cabinet formed so that Slovakia can be represented by a new premier at the EU summit in late October.
Fico noted that the cabinet will have 30 days from its appointment to prepare and submit the government manifesto. According to him, Slovakia currently shows unflattering leads among EU countries, for example, in the rankings of poverty and public finances. He claims that the current caretaker government has submitted a budget that would deepen poverty even further and that doesn't commit the new government to anything. "It lacks the element of solidarity," he added.
Fico criticised media statements with a political content made by some police representatives. He pointed to the fact that several towns and villages are declaring extraordinary situations in connection with illegal migration. According to him, the new government plans to deal with the situation as soon as possible. Fico declined to be more specific regarding a new ministry to be created. "This information will be published at the time when we'll present the coalition council and particular names," he said.
(TASR)
