Ferencak: I Won't Vote, Unless Proposal for My Removal Resolved First (2)

Bratislava, 25 November (TASR) – Head of the House committee for European affairs Jan Ferencak (Voice-SD) has stated that he learnt of the proposal to remove him from his post and replace him with now former deputy premier for the recovery plan and a knowledge-based economy Peter Kmec from the media, underlining that no one from Voice-SD informed him about it beforehand. Therefore, Ferencak is requesting that a vote on his removal should be held at the start of the parliamentary session on Tuesday. Until this proposal is voted on, he won't register for votes, "so the current coalition will have 78 votes". Ferencak's proposal for an immediate vote on his removal failed in the chamber, so it's due to be addressed on 2 December. "I learnt about the proposal for my removal from the media. It was submitted last Thursday, just before the agenda of the session was finalised," said Ferencak, adding that only a week earlier he'd agreed on more open communications with Voice-SD chair Matus Sutaj Estok. "And the first thing I found out was that a proposal for my removal had been submitted, and none of the members, not even senior Voice figures, called me, so it was a big surprise for me," stated Ferencak. "I take it that Mr. Kmec is returning to Parliament and that the party has formed the vision that he deserves some post and reward for a job well done," he added with obvious sarcasm, noting that he isn't "glued to his chair", but he's disappointed with the manner of communication within Voice-SD. He considers the fact that no one from Voice-SD has contacted him to be disrespectful, given that he co-founded the party. He sees it as revenge for his stances during parliamentary votes; for example, on anti-Russian sanctions or restrictions on the work of the European affairs committee. According to the current session agenda, voting on Ferencak's removal is scheduled for 2 December. However, he wanted the vote to take place immediately. "Until that happens, until the situation regarding my position is clear, I won't register for votes, so the current coalition will have 78 votes," he declared. The proposal to remove Ferencak as committee chair was submitted by his fellow MPs from Voice-SD. "Given that MP Peter Kmec has begun to exercise his mandate as a lawmaker, we propose the removal of MP Jan Ferencak from the post of chair of the committee for European affairs, as MP Peter Kmec has many years of experience, professional practice, strong contacts and a good reputation in the field of diplomacy," they wrote in their explanation. Members of Smer-SD have indicated they will vote in favour of replacing the head of the European committee provided that the governing coalition continues to command the support of 79 MPs after the change. NOTE: This story has been extended to include the final two paragraphs mf/df