Simecka: Pellegrini's Approach to Simkovicova's Ouster Undignified

Bratislava, February 13 (TASR) - The coalition's approach to the opposition's effort to convene an extraordinary House session on the ouster of Culture Minister Martina Simkovicova (an SNS nominee) has been rather undignified, Progressive Slovakia (PS) chair Michal Simecka declared on Tuesday, adding that he fails to understand why House Chair Peter Pellegrini didn't schedule the session for a date on which the minister could attend. Simkovicova is currently on a working trip abroad. MP Zora Jaurova (PS) claimed that the opposition will monitor "very closely" what the culture minister does next, pointing out that several motions have been tabled to Parliament concerning culture. Jaurova believes that additional reasons for Simkovicova's ouster will accumulate before the next attempt at her dismissal. Simecka pointed out that the session could have been held on Friday (February 9) when the minister was in Slovakia. In light of the fact that the session wasn't opened due to the lack of a quorum, Simecka believes that Pellegrini could have included this item on the agenda of the current regular session. "I consider the decision of the House chair to be an extreme interpretation of the Rules of Procedure, as he could still have put this item on the agenda of the ongoing session," stated Jaurova, adding that Simkovicova ignores Parliament and a petition signed by people calling for her resignation. Lawmakers failed to convene a special session on the ouster of Simkovicova twice on Tuesday, as Parliament was inquorate. 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