Simecka Slams Fico for Casting Doubt on Slovakia's Clear Anchoring in Europe

Bratislava, 8 April (TASR) - Michal Simecka, leader of the opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party, has criticised Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) for his statements at the Slavin memorial in Bratislava on Wednesday, saying that Fico has cast doubt on Slovakia's clear anchoring in Europe, TASR has learnt from Alec Borovy from the PS media department. Simecka said that, in his address, Fico attempted to speak about peace while at the same time suggesting that he doesn't know where Slovakia belongs. PS views this as a dangerous obfuscation of the premier's true intentions, as he has long been pulling the nation eastwards and questioning its place in Europe. "Robert Fico has no moral right to claim the word 'peace' today, as it's his two allies and friends, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, who have unleashed the greatest conflicts of recent times. It's all the more absurd that he's now acting like someone who wants to talk about peace," stated Simecka. Simecka added that it is deeply concerning that Fico publicly hesitates over Slovakia's security alignment. "I actually believe that Robert Fico knows very well where he wants to take Slovakia, and that direction is east, toward Putin's Russia. Today, however, he's acting as if he wants to let the voters decide. Therefore, here's my clear challenge for him: stop hiding, come and debate me on where Slovakia belongs, whether it's the East and Russia, or a strong and united Europe," stated Simecka. Earlier on Wednesday at the Slavin memorial, the premier described international law as having been trampled upon. According to him, it is the citizens themselves who must decide on Slovakia's security. "As I stand here, and if I'm prime minister of the Slovak Republic and this question arises, we'll turn to you with this question and rely on your common sense," he declared. He also said that Slovakia is "hungry for peace". jrg