Opposition Slams Premier for Fearmongering and Failure to Address Problems

Bratislava, 15 August (TASR) - Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) and his government are fearmongering and spreading conspiracy theories instead of addressing Slovakia's real problems, thus attempting to cover up Slovakia's economic collapse, opposition parties responded to Fico's statements at a press conference held earlier on Friday. Fico lambasted the opposition's activities, in particular those of the opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party, in connection with the incident in Backi Petrovac in Serbia. "After long weeks on a Croatian beach, the Prime Minister has returned to the Government Office. But rather than dealing with high prices, a stagnating economy, public finances, or the protection of our compatriots in Serbia, he's offered a mixtape of his greatest conspiracy hits – legions from Georgia, 'Maidan-isation', opposition in Serbia, the Big Bang [in Slovak: Velky TRESK standing for PS's reform programme called 'Total REstart of Slovakia (SK)' - ed. note], evil Simecka, [former prime minister Ludovit] Odor, Britain,” said PS leader Michal Simecka. Joining Simecka's criticism, MP Julius Jakab ('Slovakia'-For the People-KU caucus) said that "with Robert Fico and his cronies increasingly causing a fuss, there is growing certainty that Slovakia is in bad shape – and that everything you see is indeed true." He said that instead of bringing solutions, the government is spreading fear. "That's the only thing Robert Fico wanted to show the whole nation today – pick a fight with the media, reel off every conspiracy theory that has ever existed in the world, and frighten you so much that you will stop thinking about what's in your wallet and instead worry about tomorrow. This is Smer's standard and simple playbook," he noted. MP Veronika Remisova ('Slovakia'-For the People-KU caucus) noted that this government is leading Slovakia into a disaster — economically, socially, and in terms of security, while covering up illegal interference with the tenders, leaving our compatriots to the mercy of attackers, as well as spreading lies and hatred. She added that this dangerous regime should be removed from power. At a press conference on Friday, Fico said the opposition's actions related to the incident in the town of Backi Petrovac last weekend should lead to the same situation in Slovakia as in Serbia, accusing the opposition leaders of wanting to bring skirmishes, conflicts and disorder to Slovakia. He does not understand why they are calling on him to intervene. In his view, this is an internal matter for Serbia. jrg/mcs/am