Majersky: KDH Won't Support Extension of Electoral Term for Local Governments

Bratislava, 14 April (TASR) - The opposition Christian Democrats (KDH) have ruled out support for the proposal to extend the terms of office for local authorities from four to five years, and that goes for the second reading as well, KDH chair Milan Majersky told a press conference on Tuesday, adding he'd rather see an essential reform, such as the decentralisation of powers or the transfer of European funds to the regions. According to Majersky, the proposal to extend the electoral terms for municipalities, towns and self-governing regions "got off on the wrong foot". He pointed out that the main argument for the extension was to allow local governments enough time to complete their projects, which he dismissed as nonsense. "They're going to make just the smallest possible change – extending the terms. But if they had implemented a single fundamental reform as part of decentralisation, such as transferring powers and EU funds to the regions, or shortening the public procurement and audit deadlines at the regional development ministry, mayors and regional governors would have been able to complete all their projects even within four years," stated Majersky. House Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) criticised KDH for not supporting the proposal, as Voice-SD needs a constitutional majority of at least 90 votes to push through its bill. KDH won't support the junior coalition Slovak National Party's (SNS) proposal to extend the parliamentary term to five years, either, describing it as a populist measure. KDH also rejects the abolition of postal voting, with Majersky calling it neither fair nor good. The party's vice chair Viliam Karas added that no ruling of the Constitutional Court has cast doubt on postal voting from abroad in parliamentary elections. Furthermore, Majersky criticised the government for changing electoral rules with a view to strengthening its own position instead of addressing employment issues or the problems that people have with simply surviving. According to him, KDH has submitted several economic and social measures aimed at helping people's wallets to the current parliamentary session, including a proposal to restrict gambling via higher taxation. jrg/df