'Slovakia' Regrets That Opposition Parties Send Messages to Each Other Via Media

Bratislava, 22 September (TASR) - In reaction to Monday's call for a general strike on 17 November by the opposition Freedom and Slovakia (SaS) party, another opposition party, 'Slovakia', said that it regrets that opposition parties are sending messages to each other via the media, 'Slovakia' spokesman Matus Bystriansky informed TASR on Monday, adding that the party appreciates every effort to shorten Robert Fico's "reign of terror", however. "The parties of the current opposition, which jointly declare unity and cooperation from the rostrum, are sending messages to each other via the media about an 'infantile and childish' proposal concerning a potential general strike. Therefore, we recommend that they should first agree behind closed doors and only then communicate their position," said Bystriansky. SaS on Monday 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. 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. ko/df