Simecka: This Ends Any Considerations of Cooperating with 'Slovakia' Party

Bratislava, 26 September (TASR) – Leader of the Progressive Slovakia (PS) party Michal Simecka on Friday declared an end to any considerations of cooperation with the opposition 'Slovakia' party of Igor Matovic following a vote on the government-sponsored constitutional amendment, which passed with three votes from the 'Slovakia'-For the People-Christian Union caucus. Simecka took potshots at the three lawmakers for supporting the changes, stating that they've "helped the mafia". "After this disgraceful vote, the constitutional amendment passed – one that harms people in Slovakia and casts doubt on the country's place in the European Union and its legal space. We have the stance of the Venice Commission and all the experts on this," said Simecka. "But what surprises me and saddens me even more is the falsehood of MPs from the 'Slovakia' party. They jumped on board with Robert Fico's (Smer-SD) boundless populism, with a constitutional amendment that harms people," he added. For the PS leader, this marks the end of any deliberations about cooperating with the 'Slovakia' party. "The Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) was transparent. We spoke with them, and it was clear that this was their position. But I fail to grasp how someone can betray us like this and renege on their word in the way that colleagues from the 'Slovakia' party have done," he remarked, adding that he no longer trusts MPs from that party. mf/df