Drucker: Changes to Electoral Term Shouldn't Be Submitted as MPs' Proposal

Bratislava, 1 April (TASR) - The issue of a potential extension of the electoral terms of MPs deserves expert and nationwide public discussion and shouldn't be submitted to Parliament as an MPs' proposal, Education Minister Tomas Drucker (Voice-SD) has said in reaction to a proposal by MPs for the coalition Slovak National Party (SNS), who want to extend the electoral terms of parliament and local governments to five years. "This isn't a matter to be submitted to parliament as an MPs' proposal, with all due respect to MPs. I believe it deserves a truly professional and long discussion across society," he said. In this context, Drucker pointed out that the results of many changes implemented in the education sector only become visible in practice over time. He thinks that the proposed change may lower the ambition of some politicians to pursue reforms. "Every change provokes some resentment and resistance, and you won't see positive results immediately," he said. Drucker also commented on SNS's proposal to amend the rules for public opinion polls with political content. Although he hasn't seen the proposal, he can imagine a debate about having a clear, transparent methodology for conducting such polls. MPs for the coalition SNS have submitted several bills to Parliament. One of them is an amendment to the Slovak Constitution, via which they want to extend the terms in office of parliament and local governments from four to five years. SNS also has a proposal in Parliament aimed at amending the rules for public opinion polls with political content and at establishing oversight to ensure compliance with these rules. ko/df