Monitor: Migal: Coalition Remains United, We'll Make It Through to Elections

(JOJ 24,'Politika 24', 24 May) The governing coalition remains united despite disagreements between Smer-SD and the junior coalition Slovak National Party (SNS), said Investment, Regional Development and Informatisation Minister Samuel Migal (Independent) on JOJ 24's discussion programme 'Politika 24' (Politics 24) on Sunday, expressing his belief that the current coalition will remain in power until the next parliamentary election. "Approving the state budget will be important," stated Migal, who added that he refuses to be drawn into the dispute between SNS leader Andrej Danko and Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (an SNS nominee), describing Taraba as "one of the most capable ministers in the current government". According to Migal, internal party disputes shouldn't end up affecting the public. He dismissed the talk of a government reshuffle as "corridor gossip", claiming this issue is not relevant at the moment. Migal is ready to step down as minister ahead of the municipal elections, in which wants to run for the post of Presov Region governor. At the same time, he rejected claims that he is using his ministerial post for election campaigning, and he also expects Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) to endorse his candidacy in the coming weeks. "We talked about it," he admitted. If he succeeds in the municipal elections, he said he is "not glued" to his parliamentary mandate either. He confirmed that the ministry had set up an office for him in eastern Slovakia so that he could work and carry out his ministerial duties from there. "I don't regret becoming a minister. It's a huge challenge for me," added Migal, stating he would like to make use of his experience when working in the region. At Monday's (25 May) Coalition Council meeting, which is also set to address pro-growth measures, Migal plans to raise a question why certain measures prepared by his ministry, such as investment visas, were not included in the package. "We think it's a mistake - it's fast money for the country that we can use for further social measures," he added. Migal declined to comment on who should be appointed as Slovak central bank (NBS) governor, saying that "this is subject to an agreement between Smer-SD and Voice-SD". jrg