Ziga: House Chair's Leeway for Convening Session Limited by Rules of Procedure

Bratislava, February 12 (TASR) - House Chair Peter Pellegrini (Voice-SD) is limited in any decision on when to convene a session by the Rules of Procedure, House Vice-chair Peter Ziga (Voice-SD) declared on Monday. Ziga was reacting to the opposition's objections to Pellegrini's decision to convene a session on Culture Minister Martina Simkovicova's (SNS nominee) ouster during Simkovicova's working trip abroad. He pointed out that opposition lawmakers were also absent from the chamber during the attempt to convene the session. "Under the Rules of Procedure, the House chair doesn't have much leeway and must convene the session within seven days," said Ziga, who pointed out that Monday was the only free day on which no deliberations were planned in Parliament. Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) came to the session, and Ziga thinks that he did so in order to support Simkovicova. Parliament didn't discuss the motion to oust the culture minister on Monday, as it was inquorate, prompting Pellegrini to reschedule the proposal to 8 a.m. on Tuesday (February 13) morning. The proposal to dismiss Simkovicova was lodged by opposition parties PS and SaS, who believe that the minister has been interfering with the freedom of culture by her statements and activities. They also object to changes due to be introduced to art funds and voiced concerns about the erosion of their independence. mf/df