'Slovakia'-For the People-KU Caucus Changes its Name After Vasecka's Departure

Bratislava, 4 October (TASR) – Following the departure of MP Richard Vasecka from the 'Slovakia'-For the People-Christian Union parliamentary caucus, the caucus will change its name. Seeing as Vasecka was the sole representative of the Christian Union (KU) party within the alliance, the caucus will now be called Slovakia–For the People, spokesperson for the 'Slovakia' party Matus Bystriansky told TASR. Vasecka left the caucus last week in response to developments following the vote on the government's constitutional amendment. The caucus had expelled Rastislav Kratky, a move Vasecka disagreed with. He was taken aback by what he described as a “huge furore” in the party following the decisions made by Kratky and fellow member Marek Krajci. Both Krajci and Kratky voted in favour of the amendment to the Constitution, despite previously declaring they would not support it. Vasecka had long signalled his backing for the government-sponsored changes. In addition to Vasecka, the KU was previously represented in the group by MP Anna Zaborska, who passed away in August this year. She was replaced by Igor Dusenka, who represents the 'Slovakia' party. The parliamentary caucus consists of MPs who ran in the 2023 elections on a joint slate as part of a coalition formed by the 'Slovakia' (formerly known as OLaNO), For the People, and the Christian Union. Besides Vasecka and Kratky — both now independent — other MPs who have left the caucus include Lubomir Galko, who is also independent, and Viliam Tanko, who has joined the Progressive Slovakia (PS) parliamentary caucus. mf