Monitor: Slovakia Needs to Review Legality of Joining Trump's Board of Peace

(TA3,'V politike', 25 January) Before Slovakia potentially joins Donald Trump's Board of Peace, it is necessary to analyse whether membership is in line with the Slovak legal order, Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD) and leader of the opposition's Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) Milan Majersky agreed on TA3's discussion programme 'V politike' (In Politics). At the same time, both welcomed any peace initiative. According to Kalinak, a great deal is at stake at present and every step and decision must be carefully weighed, whether in cooperation with the coalition or international partners. "We welcome and are absolute supporters of every peace initiative. Especially since this initiative arose with respect to resolving the situation in Gaza, so of course we are extremely in favour of that as well. At the same time, however, we must also follow our legal order, which sets certain requirements," Kalinak said. Majersky also questioned whether membership would be in line with the Slovak Constitution. He is convinced that participation in the Trump's Board of Peace must be coordinated with the EU partners. "That is the alpha and omega. Our closest allies are NATO and the European Union. If we do not cooperate with EU members on this Board of Peace as well, I do not see much hope in it," he said, adding that he supports a joint approach. The discussion also covered increases in defence spending. Majersky does not like the fact that the arms industry in Slovakia is "flourishing". Kalinak argued that support for this industry is part of the Government Manifesto, also aimed at growing the Slovak economy. He underlined that the government is thus fulfilling its promise. The two politicians also discussed the current situation in domestic politics. Kalinak disagreed with the statement by Slovak National Party (SNS) leader Andrej Danko that Slovakia would benefit from a change of prime minister and said that Danko sometimes "gets carried away on the waves" of opposition politicians. Majersky called for a change of government, saying it is the weakest government of Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) in history. He reiterated that KDH will under no circumstances enter a government with Smer-SD. mf