Monitor: PM Fico Calls for Faster Investigation of Crimes from 2020-23

(STVR, 'Sobotne dialogy', 13 December) Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) wants to step up pressure on Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) due to many voters being dissatisfied with the ministry and investigators not acting faster in uncovering the crimes from the period between 2020 and 2023. Fico stated this on STVR's politics programme 'Sobotne dialogy' (Saturday Dialogues), adding that the results must be delivered. According to him, there's a lot of evidence sitting on the table and waiting to be processed and presented in a lawful manner. "I'll tell the minister that I have a huge number of disappointed voters who are utterly bothered by the fact that the Interior Ministry and investigators are not acting faster," stated Fico. The prime minister also commented on issues within the governing coalition, describing Smer-SD as the most stable component in the government and the entire political scene. He believes that departures of MPs from parliamentary caucuses of the other two coalition partners, the Slovak National Party (SNS) and Voice-SD, were caused by bad choices in their lists of candidates for general election. He admitted to have dealt with the departure of MP Jan Ferencak from Voice-SD's caucus because he didn't want the relations with him to be dead for good. He believes that things have been smoothed out enough to be able to talk to Ferencak on "some basic principal issues concerning the government's functioning and the fulfilment of its Manifesto". The prime minister also mentioned his approach towards Health Minister Kamil Sasko (Voice-SD) and Investment Minister Samuel Migal (Independent), saying he wouldn't rule out acting firmly in the case of certain failures within the coalition. Fico also touched on the possible candidacy of Transport Minister Jozef Raz (a Smer-SD nominee) for the post of Bratislava mayor. He said he didn't discuss this issue with him, but if Raz were to ask him, he would recommend it. With regard to foreign policy issues, Fico thinks it's impossible for Ukraine to become a member of the European Union (EU) from the beginning of 2027 and he thinks that other countries are far better prepared. "If we are to talk about EU enlargement, then it's definitely Montenegro, definitely Serbia, and we can also talk about Albania," he added. jrg