Election26: PS, SaS, Slovakia and Democrats Agree on Procedure in Kosice Region

Kosice, 13 April (TASR) - The political parties Progressive Slovakia (PS), Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), 'Slovakia', Democrats, 'For the People', Civic Conservative Party (OKS), and Democratic Party - Slovak Civic Democrats (DS-ODS) have announced a joint campaign for the autumn regional elections in Kosice self-governing region. The agreement includes the current candidates for Kosice governor from PS and the Democrats, Marian Porvaznik and Karel Hirman, with the stipulation that the joint candidate of these parties will ultimately be the one of the two candidates who has better prospects according to public opinion polls. This follows from a memorandum signed on Monday in Kosice by representatives of the seven political entities and both candidates. The document states that its goal is to create a framework for cooperation that "will lead to the support of a single candidate for Kosice region head by the signatories of this memorandum". The deadline for evaluating public opinion polls and assessing unified support for a joint candidate will be 31 May. The participants are to declare their support for the agreed-upon candidate for Kosice governor and publish the list of candidates for Kosice region councillors by 30 June at the latest. The agreement also includes a declaration by the participants not to enter into any form of cooperation in the form of a joint caucus or coalition with Smer-SD, Voice-SD, Republic, Slovak National Party (SNS), and their affiliated parties. SaS chairman Branislav Groehling highlighted the cooperation agreement. "The agreement within the declaration is that just as citizens express their trust, so too will political parties express their trust in a single candidate whom they will support," he stated, noting that the declaration is still open and expressing his conviction that KDH will eventually join it as well. According to SaS, the memorandum is also open to the Hungarian Alliance. PS vice-chairman Ivan Stefunko emphasised that both candidates have a vision for the region and the ability to move it forward, as well as to communicate effectively and cooperate with the city of Kosice. The need for change in the leadership of Kosice region and for a joint approach by democratic parties was also expressed by chairman of the Democrats Jaroslav Nad, OKS head Ondrej Dostal, and Peter Pollak on behalf of the 'Slovakia' party. "This is an important signal of cooperation and the ability to work together across the democratic political spectrum, which is significant not only for municipal and regional elections in other parts of Slovakia, but also for national politics," said Dostal. The joint declaration was praised by the PS' and Democrats' candidates for regional governor. According to Hirman, the goal is to "fundamentally change Kosice region and return it to the path of democracy, active and real politics for the people, and, of course, free of corruption". Porvaznik said that unity is necessary to achieve success in the elections. "I'm convinced that this moment and this memorandum are a clear signal that we have the energy to bring fundamental change to Kosice region," he stated. In addition to Porvaznik and Hirman, Kosice vice-mayor and regional councillor Lucia Gurbalova (Christian Democrats/KDH), and Dzemal Kodrazi (Independent) have also announced they will run for the post of Kosice region chair. Rastislav Trnka is currently serving his second term as head of the region. NOTE: This story has been extended to include paragraphs 4-8. am