PS Calls on President to Take Back Negotiating Power from Government

Bratislava, 19 May (TASR) - The opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) has called on President Peter Pellegrini to take back his negotiating power in relation to the pandemic agreement, the PS media department told TASR on Monday, adding that if he informs the government of this decision, its representative won't be able to make a statement or call for a special vote at the World Health Organisation (WHO) congress. In such a case, the agreement would be adopted by consensus, according to the opposition party. "It is a simple act, a written notification. If the president meant his words about the irresponsible action of the government, which 'risks Slovakia's international reputation and closes the path to better health protection for Slovak people', he can't hesitate even for a second," said party chair Michal Simecka, reiterating his criticism that the rejection of the pandemic agreement at the WHO congress will jeopardise Slovakia's international reputation and the health of the people in Slovakia. Reacting to the Slovakia's stance against supporting the pandemic agreement, the head of state said that it's irresponsible to voluntarily limit access to the latest scientific information and prevent active collaboration with developed countries in the event of a future pandemic. According to him, Slovakia is closing the path to better health protection for Slovak people. The president opines that the pandemic agreement is a global tool for better managing future pandemic threats, not a means of limiting Slovak sovereignty. The 78th session of the World Health Assembly is taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, between 19-27 May. The text of the pandemic agreement to better prepare for and combat pandemics has been under negotiation for several years. Among other things, the draft affirms the sovereignty of countries to address public-health issues within their own borders. Prime Minister Fico said on Saturday (17 May) that the government had decided that Slovakia should not support the so-called pandemic agreement and that it should be put to a vote instead of being adopted by global consensus. am