PS to Convene Round-table Discussion over 17 November and General Strike Issue

Bratislava, 22 September (TASR) - The opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party will convene a round-table debate on the proposed 17 November protests and general strike on Friday (26 September), inviting its political partners, representatives of NGOs, firms and other organisations to it, said PS leader Michal Simecka on Monday. "If we want to defeat Fico, we must act in a coordinated manner. I perceive that opinions on the form of the protest on 17 November (including the alternative of a 'general strike') vary in the opposition, but also among trade unions, employers and in civil society. The matter is so serious that we cannot send messages via the media and divide our forces," stated Simecka. The PS leader thinks that the parties need to exchange opinions and ideas and find a common approach. According to Simecka, 17 November must be honoured in a dignified manner, and a resolute 'NO' must be said to "dragging Slovakia to Moscow" and "the impoverishing of people by this government". The opposition SaS party has called for a general strike on 17 November. SaS leader Branislav Groehling said that people and employers themselves are contacting the party in this connection. The strike shouldn't be like the one that took place in 1989, he said, adding that he understands that not every citizen will have the possibility to join it, but support for the strike can also be expressed in other ways. A general strike shouldn't be organised and declared by political parties, said KDH leader Milan Majesky. He also warned about the economic consequences that such an event would have on public finances. ko/df