Opposition: No-confidence Vote in Migal a Disgrace, He Lacks Support

Bratislava, 10 February (TASR) – The opposition blasted the coalition for keeping in office ministers whom its own MPs had previously criticised, with Progressive Slovakia (PS) pointing, for instance, to objections against Health Minister Kamil Sasko (Voice-SD) and Investment Minister Samuel Migal (independent). The opposition says the vote showed disunity within the coalition ranks, as MPs from Voice-SD and the Slovak National Party (SNS) did not vote against Migal's dismissal in Parliament. According to the opposition, this is a disgrace and proof that Migal lacks support. "We have a minister who received more votes for a no-confidence motion than for confidence. We have several ministers who, despite the coalition partners saying they almost belong under criminal prosecution, as in the case of Mr. Migal, or that they fundamentally failed, as in the case of Mr. Sasko, and who do not enjoy confidence, were nevertheless all backed by their colleagues when it came down to positions and perks. That is the message of this vote for me," House vice-chair Martin Dubeci (Progressive Slovakia) told reporters. MP Michal Truban (Progressive Slovakia) called the outcome of the vote on Migal's dismissal a disgrace and said the minister should resign himself. "I think only about 48 MPs from Smer-SD voted for him to remain a minister. All the others abstained, which is also a disgrace, because this minister is also being investigated by the European Public Prosecutor's Office. All institutions, such as the Public Procurement Office and the Supreme Audit Authority, cancelled his tenders, yet he continues them in secret. After this outcome, if he had any basic self-respect, he would step down," Truban emphasised. Disputes within the coalition were also highlighted by Michal Sipos, head of the parliamentary caucus 'Slovakia'-For the People. He labelled Migal the "loser of the day". "He has absolutely no support, not even from his own side, because they failed to back him in the vote," he said. Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) leader Milan Majersky underlined after the vote that although the ministers remained in office, they do not have a carte blanche and cannot "govern as they please". "We will continue to monitor them, and the fact that the motion was submitted to Parliament more than a year ago does not mean we will not continue these efforts," he told reporters. mf