Matovic: Caucus Discussing Situation following Krajci's and Kratky's Vote

Bratislava, 29 September (TASR) - The opposition 'Slovakia'-For the People-Christian Union caucus is holding a meeting on Monday afternoon to discuss the situation with regard to two of its MPs voting on Friday (26 September) in favour of the government's amendment to the Constitution, TASR reported on Monday. At the last moment before the vote, MPs Marek Krajci and Rastislav Kratky decided to support the amendment despite having previously announced that they would not do so. Subsequently, 'Slovakia' leader Igor Matovic described their conduct as a betrayal. "We are having a meeting to speak frankly about the situation and to seek a solution," Matovic said before the meeting, reiterating that if he were Krajci or Kratky, he would give up his mandate as an MP. "That would be a fair thing to do. I understand what they voted for; personally speaking, I agree with those changes to the Constitution, but this was the worst possible way to do so," said Matovic, adding that he expects the Monday's meeting to arrive at a solution by tomorrow. However, he said the two MPs are not likely to attend it, because Kratky fell ill, whereas Krajci is ready to come if needed. MP Veronika Remisova said she was personally very hurt by the the decision of the two MPs and that she would also give up her mandate, if she were in their place, noting they've had the whole weekend to make a decision. When it comes to values, Remisova said that MPs in the caucus are free to vote in accordance with their conscience. However, the problem is that, after six months, the two MPs had changed their stance and failed to notify the other MPs sufficiently in advance. Krajci and Kratky explained their decision by helping to prevent the Christian Democrats (KDH) from being "gutted" by the coalition Smer-SD if the amendment did not pass. According to them, they changed their mind after Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) stated on Thursday (25 September) that this was the last chance to amend the Constitution on the issue. On Friday, Matovic said he was not calling on the two MPs to give up their mandates, as the 'Slovakia' party allows its MPs to vote freely. At that time, he also rejected the idea of expelling both MPs from the caucus. Parliament approved the government's amendment to the Slovak Constitution with 90 votes. In addition to all but two of the KDH's MPs, it was also supported by Krajci, Kratky and Richard Vasecka from the 'Slovakia'-For the People-Christian Union caucus. The amendment enshrines the existence of only two genders – male and female. It also introduces constitutional regulations regarding child adoption and the educational process. jrg/mcs