KDH Urges President to Defend Constitution and Democracy

Bratislava, 25 February (TASR) - The opposition's Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) called on President Peter Pellegrini to actively exercise his presidential powers to protect constitutionality and parliamentary democracy, KDH chair Milan Majersky stated at a press conference on Wednesday. In a letter, KDH asked the president to convene a meeting of the three top constitutional officials with the aim of restoring the functioning of the state and addressing the real problems facing the people. It also urged him to call on the government to fulfil its constitutional obligation to request a vote of confidence in Parliament. At the same time, the party wants the president to begin actively using his veto power in cases of legislative "riders" and the misuse of fast-track legislative procedures. KDH said it had approached the president out of concern about the direction of Slovakia's democratic system. "The Slovak Republic is no longer functioning in terms of constitutional institutions as it should," warned Majersky. The KDH chair described Parliament as paralysed and failing to address the problems of ordinary people. He also pointed to the over-excessive use of fast-track legislative procedures and so-called riders. "President Peter Pellegrini has so far passively signed laws that have been criticised by experts and the public. A society witnessing this breakdown rightfully expects him to intervene," Majersky said. He also objected to the postponement of opposition legislative proposals. According to Majersky, the government is also grossly and knowingly violating the Constitution by failing to request a parliamentary vote of confidence despite the high level of public debt. "It is Peter Pellegrini's duty to sit down with the prime minister and call on him to submit a vote of confidence to Parliament," the KDH leader added. mf/mcs