Simecka Stays at PS helm, Ruling Out Cooperation with Coalition or Republika (2)

Trnava, 28 March (TASR) - Michal Simecka, the leader of the strongest opposition party Progressive Slovakia (PS) since May 2022, has been re-elected as PS chair for another two-year term at the party's congress held in Trnava on Saturday, receiving support from 191 out of 202 voting delegates while running for the post unopposed. At the congress, PS also ruled out post-election cooperation with the coalition parties Smer-SD, Voice-SD and the Slovak National Party (SNS), as well as the extra-parliamentary Republika, citing "the destruction of the rule of law, public finances, the governing coalition's foreign policy orientation, and the overall direction of Slovakia under the current government". PS has also declared its ambition to form a stable government after the next general election. "Having seen unstable and chaotic governance between 2020 and 2023, PS will strive to strengthen the bloc of constructive opposition parties consisting of PS, Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), and Democrats," according to a resolution adopted at the congress. In his speech before the vote, Simecka briefly evaluated the movement's progress, highlighting the fact that PS won the most recent European Parliament elections in Slovakia and now has six MEPs. "We have presented a shadow government full of top experts and future ministers," stressed Simecka, adding that the party has grown into "a people's movement" by Slovak standards. He criticised the government of Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) for corruption, economic stagnation and the rising cost of living. Simecka also said that the Slovak people need hope for a better life, and he announced his party's readiness to push through measures aimed at boosting economic growth. According to PS, the living conditions of Slovaks have rapidly deteriorated due to the economic and political steps of the current government, with quality education, housing and economic opportunities becoming less accessible. The congress also tasked the presidency with addressing "solutions that will reverse the disastrous condition of the Slovak economy", such as developing a strategy to reduce the cost of living and increase housing affordability. In addition, legislative solutions for declaring a state of housing emergency and a strategic document for housing construction are to be drawn up. "In cities with the greatest housing shortages, we will declare a housing emergency," stated Simecka, adding that red tape should also be eliminated in this area. If PS forms a government in 2027, it will push several measures through Parliament, such as higher penalties for corruption and preventing anyone facing criminal charges from holding a leadership position in Parliament. Simecka also spoke about his party's offer to form a pre-election coalition with other opposition parties if the Parliament entry threshold is increased, ensuring that not a single opposition vote is wasted. He views the upcoming municipal elections partly as a dress rehearsal for the general election. "For PS, it is through these elections that we want to significantly increase our presence in local governments, municipalities, towns and regions," Simecka told a press conference. On Saturday, the PS congress also elected seven vice chairs: Michal Truban, Ivan Stefunko, Ivan Korcok, Beata Jurik, Irena Bihariova, Simona Petrik, and Tomas Valasek. NOTE: This story has been extended to include the final five paragraphs. jrg