Opposition Disagrees with Limited Debate, Announces More Protests

Bratislava, 17 September (TASR) - Several opposition parties criticised the decision to restrict the debate on the package of consolidation measures for next year in Parliament on Wednesday, adding that if the governing coalition doesn't allow a parliamentary debate, it will "take to the streets". For this reason, it will organise further protests in several Slovak towns and cities next Tuesday (23 September). According to Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Simecka, the planned measures will dramatically affect the lives of all people in Slovakia, but the governing coalition refuses to debate them. "This is such enormous disrespect towards the public, and that's why on Tuesday we'll again protest against the impoverishment of people," he said, adding that the government has silenced the opposition because it fears it. Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) vice-chair Marian Viskupic stated that arrogance is exactly the way in which the coalition governs. "Now it wants to silence everyone and get this out of the way as quickly as possible. It knows very well what it has in store for people — all these bad things and the hard times coming up next year," said Viskupic. Christian Democrat (KDH) chairman Milan Majersky said that the actions of the governing coalition have forced the opposition to take to the streets. "It's trampling on democracy and the rule of law, and it's doing it live and in real time. We will not be silent. If it shuts our mouths here in Parliament, we'll speak on the squares. KDH is calling on the whole opposition to be united, to be heard everywhere, on the streets across Slovakia, to show how bad this government is," stated Majersky. Michal Sipos, chair of the opposition 'Slovakia' parliamentary caucus, said that the government "cannot explain why it's once again going to skin people alive. The only solution it's found is to cut short the debate once again, preventing duly elected MPs from speaking." Parliament has been discussing the package of consolidation measures since last Friday (12 September). Following a vote to end the debate earlier on Wednesday, it decided to apply a fast-track legislative procedure, and it also approved limiting the debate on the consolidation package at its first reading to 12 hours. jrg/df