Danko: I'll Maintain My Position that SNS Can't Support Changes in Gambling Act

(TA3,'V politike', 9 November) Speaking on TA3's discussion programme 'V politike' (In Politics) on Sunday, coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) leader Andrej Danko stated that SNS can't support the amendment to the Gambling Act. Parliament will decide on the amendment again after President Peter Pellegrini vetoed it. According to Danko, gambling will be one of the issues discussed at a coalition council meeting on Monday (10 November). Opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) chair Branislav Groehling criticised Danko, saying that SNS could have vetoed the gambling amendment earlier at a coalition council meeting or a government session. "I'll remain firm in my position that SNS can't support such a law," Danko said of the vetoed amendment concerning gambling, adding that Voice-SD MPs shouldn't support the amendment either, as it was vetoed by President Peter Pellegrini, who is still the Voice-SD honorary chairman. According to him, it's natural that Smer-SD can't change its position, as it nominated Rudolf Huliak as sport and tourism minister who tabled the draft. Groehling considers it to be a miracle that the head of state vetoed the gambling bill. According to him, the coalition is unstable and is arguing about gambling rather than how to help people. He's curious to see how SNS will ultimately vote in Parliament. Meanwhile, the SNS leader also commented on the reform of the penal codes stating that it must be evaluated, but in his opinion in terms of security, Slovakia is not doing as badly as France, for example. He admits that legislative changes are needed in relation to theft. "There is a problem, let's address it. But that doesn't mean it's the end of the world," he said. Groehling pointed out that local governments have to spend money unnecessarily on crime-related problems. According to him, the coalition must admit that it made a mistake in the amendment. am