Michelko: SNS Election Slate to Include Party Members Only

Bratislava, 4 January (TASR) - Only members of the Slovak National Party (SNS) will appear on its slate for the next general election, head of the SNS parliamentary caucus Roman Michelko said in an interview with TASR, adding that SNS leader Andrej Danko is expected to be listed in the first position. Prominent public figures could also be included, unless they're part of their own political entities. If, roughly half a year before the election, there's a risk that the party wouldn't enter parliament on its own, forming a pre-election coalition could be an option as well, said Michelko, stressing that the SNS definitely wouldn't take small parties on board anymore. However, independent and well-known public figures, who decide to join the SNS, could still be included in the list. According to Michelko, internal discussions regarding a decline in voter support have been ongoing in the SNS for a long time. The party wants to draw up a programme that will be sufficiently attractive to voters. "We realise that we're on the edge and that we must do everything to cross the five-percent threshold," added Michelko. He said that MP Miroslav Radacovsky will not join the SNS caucus, as he's set to pursue a diplomatic career and the SNS expects him to leave parliament in the foreseeable future. Considering that the next candidate in line is Jan Krisanda, who currently serves as state secretary at the Education Ministry, Michelko stated that the parliamentary seat could be taken by Zdenko Cambal. jrg