Groehling: Bitto Ciganikova Must Come to Terms with My Decision on Sulik

Bratislava, 29 December (TASR) – Opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party leader Branislav Groehling has said that he can feel strong support from party members who share his vision, and he pointed out that he presented that vision during his bid for the party leadership and was elected based on that. Speaking to TASR in a end-of-year interview, Groehling claimed that Jana Bitto Cigankova remains a member of the party, despite having voiced reservations about him several times. However, according to Groehling, Bitto Ciganikova must come to terms with his stance on former party leader Richard Sulik. "I presented a vision of a new story for the party when I ran for party chairman. The members identified with it, which is why I was elected. Since then we've been implementing individual steps, and I personally feel strong support from the membership. I'm pleased that SaS is becoming a party that brings together moderate conservatives and moderate liberals, and that it looks at both words in our name – freedom and solidarity," Groehling told TASR. He also pointed out that SaS has begun to improve in opinion polls, a fact that he welcomed. "It's also positive that, as party chairman, I'm among the top three most trustworthy leaders," he added. Groehling also responded to TASR's questions about cooperation with MP Bitto Cigankova, who has criticised him several times this year. He declared that she remains part of the party. However, he said she must come to terms with his decision that as long as he is SaS chairman, Sulik will not appear on a candidate list. "This decision is unchangeable. I realise that she disagrees with it, but she'll have to decide whether to accept it and if she wants to be part of the team or make some other decision," he added. mf/df