'Slovakia' Party: Premier Fico Fears Only Unification of Opposition

Bratislava, 16 September (TASR) - Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) is afraid that the entire opposition will unite, stated the opposition 'Slovakia' party on Tuesday, party spokesman Matus Bystriansky told TASR, adding that the 'Slovakia' party doesn't understand the position of Progressive Slovakia (PS), which, according to him, banned representatives of the 'Slovakia' party from speaking at Tuesday's protest rally. "In the two years since the election, not a single poll has supported the PS's puzzling optimism that they can defeat the ruling mafia without our party. That's why it would be right for us to stand together on squares today. It isn't possible. Nevertheless, we called on our sympathizers to support the PS protests. MPs for the 'Slovakia' party will also take part in the protests," said Bystriansky, noting that the leader of the opposition should be the one who unites and not divides. The spokesperson added that the premier, according to the party, has decided to destroy Slovakia and has "stolen" its future or reputation. "In 1998, when [former prime minister Vladimir] Meciar also made Slovakia the black hole of Europe, the democratic forces won only because they united and the leaders of the opposition did not prefer embarrassing politicking to the interest of the country," pointed out Bystriansky. According to PS, all those who are bothered by the "impoverishment of Slovakia by Fico's fourth government" are welcome at the protests. PS added that they are organising them in a well-established line-up. PS, KDH, SaS and the Democrats are the basis of a stable governing majority after the next election. Protests against consolidation are taking place in Bratislava, Kosice, Banska Bystrica, Zilina and 12 other cities and towns across Slovakia on Tuesday evening. They are organised by the opposition PS party. In addition to PS, the protests are also attended by the Christian Democrats (KDH), Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) and the extra-parliamentary Democrats party. am