Opposition Slams President's New Year Speech, Accusing Him of Making Excuses

Bratislava, 1 January (TASR) – The opposition Christian Democrat (KDH) and Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) parties have criticised President Peter Pellegrini's New Year address, reproaching him for making excuses, lacking specificity and failing to take responsibility for actions that, according to them, have contributed to a deterioration in the situation in Slovakia. "In his speech, Peter Pellegrini positioned himself as an impartial observer, but the opposite is the case. In fact, with his numerous signatures, he's legitimised government decisions that fundamentally harm people and the rule of law," said SaS chairman Branislav Groehling. The SaS leader mentioned, for example, the consolidation package signed by the president and the amendment to the Penal Code. "Pellegrini can't talk about reconciliation and calming down society today when he personally signs laws that protect corrupt individuals, weaken justice and take money out of people's wallets," added Groehling. According to the SaS leader, the president wasted a key opportunity last year to show that he's on the side of the public interest. "If Peter Pellegrini wants to talk about the responsibility of politicians and calming emotions, he must stop making decisions that divide society, weaken trust in the state and protect the powerful at the expense of decent and honest people," he stated. KDH chairman Milan Majersky also took up a critical stance toward the president's New Year address. According to him, it didn't deliver what people need most in these difficult times - clear identification of the country's fundamental problems, objectivity and truth. According to Majersky, the president continues to be unable to distance himself from the governing coalition and the Voice-SD party. "General phrases about hatred, a small country and everyone's responsibility may sound nice, but they don't give people any hope or bring about any specific change," said Majersky, stressing that people are facing rising living costs, a decline in justice and a loss of trust in the state, and they expect more than just cautious statements from the president. Majersky emphasised that KDH respects the institution of the head of state, but that this doesn't mean turning a blind eye to evasive statements and superficial observations. "We need a president who isn't afraid to call a spade a spade and stand on the side of the people, every citizen, not on the side of the interests of the government and his own party," he added. am/df