Special Session on Raz's Ouster Won't Be Held, Fourth Attempt to Open it Fails

Bratislava, 2 December (TASR) - The last (fourth) try to open a special session with a no-confidence motion in Transport Minister Jozef Raz (a Smer-SD nominee) as the sole point on the agenda failed on Tuesday, as only 62 MPs presented themselves, which was not enough for the House to be quorate. At least 76 MPs were needed to open the session. Following two unsuccessful attempts on Monday (1 December) and two on Tuesday, House Vice-chair Tibor Gaspar (Smer-SD) concluded the special session. The no-confidence motion in the transport minister will be proposed as an item for the agenda of the next regular session of Parliament. The motion to dismiss Raz was initiated by opposition MPs from the 'Slovakia' party–For the People parliamentary caucus after they collected the more than 30 signatures required to convene a special session from all opposition parties. They filed a respective motion last week. According to the opposition, the main reason for the minister's ouster is the series of rail accidents that have taken place in recent weeks. Raz offered his resignation to Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD), but the latter didn't accept it. However, the opposition MPs say that this gesture wasn't enough, arguing that the minister should have submitted his resignation directly to President Peter Pellegrini. ko