'Slovakia' Party Refuses to Participate in Meetings on New Rules of Procedure

Bratislava, 16 July (TASR) - The opposition 'Slovakia' party has announced that it will not participate in meetings on an amendment to the parliamentary Rules of Procedure unless the governing coalition starts adhering to the current rules. Its statement, sent to TASR on Wednesday, accused the coalition of attempting to hinder the functioning of the opposition in the Slovak Parliament. "The coalition arbitrarily interprets and regularly violates the Rules of Procedure. With this de facto muzzle law, the coalition intends to further restrict the opposition's work in Parliament. The coalition pushes through everything according to its own will and is again treating the opposition like a powerless tool, like a rag," said the party. 'Slovakia' also pointed out that it's submitted several proposals to amend the Rules of Procedure. For example, it sought to require MPs to undergo alcohol and drug testing if requested by another MP or parliamentary club. "However, the governing coalition rejected that proposal. During this term, we've submitted several changes to the rules, but the coalition has dismissed them all. These included introducing a precise mechanism for issuing reasoned stances on European Union legislative acts," the movement added. MP Veronika Remisova ('Slovakia'-For the People-KU alliance) spoke about restrictions on parliamentary work related to the new rules. She criticised a proposal regulating MPs' clothing. "The governing coalition wants to ban inappropriate T-shirts, but who will decide which T-shirt is appropriate and which is not?" she asked. She fears that T-shirts bearing the slogan 'they raised salaries for themselves, taxes for the public,' worn by MPs from 'Slovakia', For the People and KU, will be deemed inappropriate by the coalition. "Why shouldn’t MPs have the right to speak the truth openly and wear it on a T-shirt if they want? These are totalitarian practices," she said. Remisova also claimed that whenever Robert Fico (Smer-SD) is in power, MPs' rights are curtailed in order to silence the opposition. She pointed out that during Fico's previous government, visual aids were banned in the parliamentary chamber and speaking times were shortened. MPs are expected to begin discussions on the amendment to the Rules of Procedure at the session in September. The changes should include the removal of the requirement to read out proposed amendments in the plenary. An ethical code is also planned for adoption in the autumn, addressing MPs' conduct, alcohol use and a dress code. House Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) told TASR that he disagrees with MPs attending sessions wearing T-shirts with offensive slogans or wearing sweatpants and slip-on sandals instead of proper trousers. mf/df