Monitor: Ondrus Wants to Run for KOZ Head But Intends to Remain MEP

(STVR, 'O 5 minut 12', 17 May) Speaking on STVR's discussion programme 'O 5 minut 12' (Five Minutes to Twelve) on Sunday, MEP Branislav Ondrus, elected as a Voice-SD member, would like to run for the post of Trade Union Confederation (KOZ) president, adding that he has already left the party to pursue his candidacy. However, Ondrus said he'd like to remain an MEP. MEP Miriam Lexmann (Christian Democrats/KDH) is unsure how he would balance the two roles. She also believes that the trade union could become politicised. Ondrus confirmed that he has the support of five trade union federations. "I must say that we have trade union representatives in the European Parliament. It's actually quite standard for them to sit primarily with the left-wing parties," he said. Lexmann can't imagine how Ondrus would separate his two roles. "I think it's better for [the trade unions] not to be politicised. Because then, with such a political past, a party past, it might be difficult to fight for certain causes," she said. MEP Lexmann also stated that Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) is undermining European unity on the issue of Russia's war against Ukraine. Ondrus reiterated that the war must be ended through diplomatic means. He defended Fico's trip to Moscow, noting that the prime minister delivered a message from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Russian leader Vladimir Putin. am