Opposition Slams Takac for Evading Parliamentary Debate on PPA

Bratislava, 5 May (TASR) - Opposition parties Progressive Slovakia (PS), Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), 'Slovakia' and 'For the People' have criticised Agriculture Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD) for refusing to face a parliamentary debate and concealing the seriousness of the situation at the Agriculture Payment Agency (PPA) after the agenda of a special House session on PPA initiated by PS was rejected. PS stated that Slovak farmers are now feeling uncertain about whether they will ever receive any subsidies from the European Union, adding that it is Parliament's "sacred duty" to deal with a situation in which PPA's accreditation may be revoked. "It's the height of cowardice that the coalition didn't open this session," stated PS chair Michal Simecka, who also called on Takac to step down as minister. "He should resign himself if he's going to bury his head in the sand instead of answering crucial questions. I also think that he's going to face increasing pressure from his own coalition partners to resign, as this problem concerns a huge number of their voters," said Simecka. MP Veronika Remisova ('Slovakia'-'For the People' caucus) stated that Takac has been deliberately evading debates in Parliament. "Minister Takac fears oversight and debates in Parliament, as he knows that his actions are indefensible. He's been misleading the Slovak people all along by saying that Slovak farmers face no risk. That's not true," she said, adding that she'll demand an explanation from Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD), including "a clear plan on how to remedy the situation and alleviate the damage caused to the Slovak Republic". In addition, Takac should immediately present specific measures to ensure that PPA doesn't lose its accreditation. SaS also criticised the governing coalition for refusing to open the special session. According to SaS, the blocking of a parliamentary debate is yet more proof that the coalition doesn't want to explain the scandals in the agriculture sector and still intends to cover up a system that has served certain chosen people for years. In this context, SaS Chairman Branislav Groehling referred to the coalition's "fear of the truth". MPs on Tuesday afternoon failed to approve the agenda of a special House session on the situation at PPA initiated by the opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party. Although 141 MPs presented themselves for the vote, they didn't approve the agenda of the session with the single item proposed. Only 63 MPs voted in favour of it and 78 MPs against. House Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) subsequently concluded the special session and MPs continued with the ongoing regular one. jrg/df