Monitor: Danko: Fico Rushed US Nuclear Deal

(STVR, 'Sobotne dialogy', 24 January) Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) signed an intergovernmental agreement with the United States on cooperation in nuclear energy hastily, leader of the coalition's SNS party and parliamentary vice-chair Andrej Danko stated on STVR's politics programme 'Sobotne dialogy' (Saturday Dialogues). At the same time, Danko distanced himself from the prime minister's rhetoric about a "road to hell" and criticised several of his foreign policy steps. Former justice minister and vice-chair of the opposition's KDH party Viliam Karas, also on the show, said the prime minister is gambling with the Slovak statehood and that his policy aimed "in all four directions of the world" has failed. "It is important he went there [the prime minister's recent visit to the US — ed.note], but I do not think we should enter partnerships also in the construction of a nuclear power plant. That's why I also appreciate that he's going to see (French President Emmanuel) Macron, because I think that if we cannot build power plants with the Russians, which I would prefer most, then let us talk about it with the French (...). I am just saying that he hastily signed something which has brought us nothing," Danko said. According to Danko, Fico is going to France because "the conversation with Trump has left him scared". The SNS head also questioned several steps taken by the prime minister in foreign policy and described the US president as an unpredictable partner. He was also critical of the initiative to create a so-called Board of Peace proposed by the US president. The KDH vice-chair pointed out that Slovakia, despite its declared policy "in all four directions of the world", has not received an invitation to Trump's Board of Peace, even though Karas could imagine participation under certain circumstances. Karas also objected to the prime minister's remarks about Slovakia taking "the road to hell on a white horse". "In this climate, he addresses his coalition partners and essentially all citizens of Slovakia with a statement that we are riding a white horse to hell. Do you understand that comparison? Is he mocking the people that he will push it through and take us all the way to hell? (...) This is not a joke," Karas said. In the debate, Danko again declared that Fico should be president and said he will do everything to make that happen. He also admitted that the coalition had already discussed changing the method of electing the president. According to him, a return to electing the head of state in Parliament could ease tense relations between the prime minister and the president. Karas rejected the proposal for change, saying it was just political marketing and that he saw no reason to change the system of direct presidential elections. In his view, it would rather be worth discussing strengthening the powers of the head of state. mf