Danko: Government Reshuffle Up to Premier, He'll Probably Consider It

(TA3,'V politike', 15 March) Potential government reshuffle is up to Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD), who will probably think about it, coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) chairman Andrej Danko said on TA3's discussion programme 'V politike' (In Politics) on Sunday, continuing in the criticism of the current functioning of the government he raised on Saturday (14 March). "He (Robert Fico) will probably consider a government reshuffle and who to replace. However, it should definitely be done in a fair manner, he should assess the performance of each minister. Speaking to you as an experienced MP and former House chair, I can say that laws that come to Parliament are often incompetent and last-minute. Some ministers are 'maintenance workers', while others are hard workers," stated Danko. Danko reiterated that he doesn't want to break up the governing coalition, so that it isn't replaced by the current opposition, nor does he want to act as a blackmailer. At the same time, however, he wants to win favour of disappointed voters of the current government. According to him, the cabinet should address the real problems of people. SNS will therefore check the bills that the government will come up with better, while also putting forward its own laws aimed at helping small entrepreneurs, pensioners and families. Opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) ledader Michal Simecka, also on the show, agreed with most of the critical statements about the government made by Danko. According to him, the current government is characterised by "hypocrisy, unfulfilled promises and deceived voters". However, he disagreed with Danko on what coalition politicians should do when they are dissatisfied. He stated that the government reshuffle is not solely up to the premier, as several dissatisfied MPs have already forced it during this electoral term. "You still have your MPs in Parliament, you are keeping that majority alive. If you say that this needs to be changed, that you want a government reshuffle, then the premier must act. If you say you'll no longer support this governing coalition since it is hypocritical, since it harms Slovakia, since it focuses on cooperating defendants instead of the people, then you have those votes," Simecka told the SNS chairman during the debate. Keeping the government alive just to prevent it from being replaced by the current opposition isn't a good motivation, stated Simecka, adding that Danko shouldn't scare people with what might go wrong if the government is replaced. ko