Gaspar: We Agreed Voice-SD Won't Vote with Opposition to Oust Transport Minister

Bratislava, 24 November (TASR) - The coalition Voice-SD party won't violate the coalition agreement by voting with the opposition to dismiss Transport Minister Jozef Raz (a Smer-SD nominee), Parliamentary Vice-chair Tibor Gaspar (Smer-SD) told journalists on Monday, adding that this is the result of Monday's coalition council meeting. At the meeting, coalition representatives also agreed on the course of the parliamentary session set to begin on Tuesday (25 November). "The result of today's coalition council meeting is that Voice won't undermine the coalition agreement by voting with the opposition to dismiss the minister. That was stated there," said Gaspar. SNS parliamentary caucus chair Roman Michelko also confirmed that no 'threat' was made at the coalition council meeting that Voice-SD would like to oust the coalition minister. "So it is extremely unlikely," he said. Vice-premier and Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD) is not concerned that Voice could vote to dismiss the transport minister. He considers him to be one of the most dynamic and best ministers in the government. "It would certainly not be politically ideal for Voice to try to dismiss one of the most successful ministers," he said. The no-confidence motion in Raz was submitted by the opposition on Monday. House Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) is obliged to convene an extraordinary meeting on this motion within seven days. am