PS Offers Electoral Bloc to Opposition If Parliamentary Entry Threshold Rises

Bratislava, 18 March (TASR) - If the governing coalition increases the threshold required for political parties to enter Parliament from the current 5 percent to 7 or even 10 percent, the opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) is ready to offer its opposition partners a broad electoral coalition, PS leader Michal Simecka told a press conference on Wednesday. "If the threshold were indeed raised to 7 or, heaven forbid, 10 percent, Progressive Slovakia would work toward creating a large electoral coalition that would defeat any bloc that Smer-SD might create. We'll be ready and we'll act responsibly; I want to state this clearly to reassure all opposition voters," Simecka declared. The opposition Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) stated earlier on Wednesday that a potential increase in the threshold is being considered, and Simecka views such reports as credible. "This is a threat to democracy and the freedom of electoral competition, and we know that Smer-SD and the governing coalition will do anything to stay in power. They know they are heading for defeat in 2027," stressed Simecka, adding that this would undermine the principles of democratic competition. He views the move as an attempt by Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) and the coalition to "cement themselves in power". If the coalition tables such a proposal, PS and KDH are prepared to file a motion with the Constitutional Court. "I'm convinced that increasing the threshold would be unconstitutional," said Simecka. Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has previously discussed the need for dialogue on changing the electoral system, including raising the election deposit or increasing the parliamentary entry threshold for parties to at least 7 percent. Currently, parties must receive at least 5 percent of votes in parliamentary elections to make it into Parliament, while coalitions require 7 percent. jrg/df