PM Meets Students in Modra, Describes Discussion as Calm

Bratislava/Modra, 6 February (TASR) - Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) met students in Modra (Bratislava region) on Friday, describing their discussion as one that focused on calm argumentation, facts and mutual respect, TASR reported on the basis of information published by Fico on a social network on Friday, where he also invited the students to continue the dialogue at the Government Office. "For over one and a half hours, I listened to the opinions and questions of people who will one day take responsibility for Slovakia's governance and development. It was a great honour and pleasure for me to see their genuine enthusiasm and beliefs," stated the prime minister. Fico added the main highlight of the meeting was that, despite external influences and attempts at politicking, students are still able to speak. "It's so simple and human to look each other in the eye and talk like normal people. Slovakia needs nothing else, especially today when things are coming to a head on a global scale. Our young people will enter a world that is currently seeking new rules to function by," he stated, adding that he sees hope in the young people and wants to pass on his experience to them. The opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) considers Fico's lectures in schools to be political campaigning for the Smer-SD party. PS will submit a request to Education Minister Tomas Drucker (Voice-SD) demanding clear guidelines for the activities of politicians at schools and during teaching hours. jrg/df