SNS Says It Has Not Conducted Any Negotiations with Opposition Parties

Bratislava, 24 May (TASR) - The Slovak National Party (SNS) has not held negotiations at any level with any opposition political party, SNS spokesperson Zuzana Skopcova stated in response to claims made by Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (an SNS nominee) on TA3's discussion programme 'V politike' (In Politics) on Sunday. SNS chair Andrej Danko intends to propose the environment minister's ouster at Monday's (25 May) meeting with Taraba and Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD). "The Slovak National Party declares that it condemns Tomas Taraba's lies and political betrayals, as he's shown today on 'In Politics' programme," reads the party's statement. SNS is convinced that it is entitled, under the coalition agreement, to propose Taraba's dismissal. "SNS has the right to propose, at its discretion, the name of a minister at any time, without needing the consent of the Prime Minister or Minister Taraba for this," stated Skopcova, adding that Danko will do so on Monday. According to SNS, "Tomas Taraba has deepened conflicts with [Tourism and Sport Minister] Rudolf Huliak since the very inception of the coalition, and these have led to the first coalition crisis, which he's caused politically," stated SNS, noting that Taraba was originally supposed to be installed as culture minister. Taraba said on Sunday that he doesn't intend to step down as minister and claimed there was an agreement between SNS and the opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party to dismiss him in Parliament. In that case, he expects several MPs to react to the situation. PS deputy chair and MP Tamara Stohlova rejected the existence of such an agreement. Taraba also noted that Danko offered the post of the environment minister to Environment Ministry State Secretary Filip Kuffa. jrg