Sakova or Rasi Could Replace Pellegrini at Post of Parliamentary Chair

Bratislava, April 7 (TASR) - Speaking on TV Markiza's politics show 'Na telo' (Tough Questions) on Sunday, Economy Minister Denisa Sakova (Voice-SD) confirmed that president-elect Peter Pellegrini (Voice-SD) could be replaced at the post of parliamentary chair by her or Investments Minister Richard Rasi (Voice-SD). Sakova, and Parliamentary Vice-Chair and opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) leader Michal Simecka praised the high voter turnout in the presidential election. However, they both blamed the opposite camp for running an aggressive and incendiary campaign. Sakova pointed out that personal ambitions go aside and the party presidium will decide on the position of the parliamentary chair. The question of the leader of the Voice-SD party is to be decided by a party congress, according to her, the choice will be made from among the vice-chairs and the general manager. She added that Voice-SD isn't yet considering possibly running in the next parliamentary election in a coalition with Smer-SD, but she didn't rule it out. According to Simecka, unsuccessful presidential candidate Ivan Korcok should be asked about his political future. He didn't say whether PS will offer him the post of party chairman. "The election has clearly confirmed that the Slovak nation wants to have calm," said Sakova, criticising the campaign of Korcok and the opposition parties. According to her, they spread fear that Pellegrini's victory would bring down the government. Simecka sees it the other way around and believes the divisive campaign was led by Pellegrini's supporters. He added that the winner of the election mobilised the voters of Stefan Harabin and the extremists even at the cost of flattering them in the campaign. am/mcs