SaS Rejects Some Changes Due to Be Included in Revised Rules of Procedure

Bratislava, 23 July (TASR) – Opposition party Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) has presented several proposals for the amendment of the parliamentary Rules of Procedure, MP Ondrej Dostal (SaS) confirmed for TASR on Wednesday. Some of these suggestions have been accepted during working group meetings and may be included in the final version of the reform. However, the party has expressed disagreement with several other proposed changes and may ultimately vote against the amendment. "The vast majority of our suggestions were not included in the draft agreed upon by the working group. Even among those that were accepted, it is still uncertain whether they will appear in the final version. Parliamentary caucuses are now reviewing the material, and it is possible that what Smer representatives agreed to in the working group may not be approved by their parliamentary caucus," said Dostal. SaS based its proposals on its own draft amendment to the Rules of Procedure, which was previously rejected by Parliament. According to Dostal, suggestions accepted by the working group include those for more detailed justifications of fast-track legislative procedures and a requirement to present informative consolidated versions of draft laws. "This would help MPs, the public and journalists to better understand the context," he explained. The working group also agreed to SaS's proposal to change the rules of the Prime Minister’s Question Hour. Dostal noted that currently, MPs from Smer often submit identical questions en masse to Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD), leaving little time for opposition questions. The proposed change would mean alternating questions from coalition and opposition MPs. Other proposals that could make it into the final version include allowing the presiding chair or vice-chair to make factual remarks and lift the ban on using visual presentations during speeches. According to Dostal, the working group agreed on a milder version, which would allow the use of charts and tables with the approval of the presiding chair or vice-chair. Dostal stressed that the opposition has reservations about some proposed changes. For instance, SaS disagrees with shortening the speaking time for MPs registered in writing or with changes related to the third reading of bills. "The coalition is aware of which changes we oppose, and so if they are included, we will not co-sponsor the proposal and will probably vote against it," stated Dostal. According to Dostal, there hasn't yet been any discussion on an ethical code for MPs. The coalition wants to finalise the amendment to the Rules of Procedure first. An ethical code could be tabled in October, when the final vote on the amendment may also take place. mf/df