Danko Insists on Taraba's Dismissal, Wants to Submit Proposal to PM on Tuesday

Bratislava, 25 May (TASR) - Slovak National Party (SNS) leader Andrej Danko is insisting that Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee) should be dismissed. Danko told journalists following the Coalition Council session on Monday that he wants to submit an official proposal for Taraba's dismissal to Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) on Tuesday (26 May). Danko noted that politics is also about making compromises. According to him, he and Taraba have exchanged and accepted several arguments and are trying to find a constructive solution. They want to resolve the situation politically within a week. Danko also declared that the functioning of Parliament will be problem-free. "I want to make it clear to all of you that, at this moment, I'm not changing my stance regarding the vice-premier [Taraba], and after yesterday's statements I cannot change it. Anyway, I've also agreed on a working meeting with the vice-premier. Our proposal for dismissal is definitive and final. Of course, politics is about making compromises. Many of the things that we discussed today perhaps should have been spoken about earlier, but I want to assure you that Vice-premier Taraba and I are trying to find a constructive way out of this situation while keeping the government functional," said the SNS leader. Danko said that he doesn't want to increase tensions or deepen the conflict. However, he views it as natural that, as party leader, he bears responsibility for the Environment Ministry. He therefore believes that he has the right to raise objections and demands, as well as to express his potential dissatisfaction. He appreciates the fact that Taraba has accepted several of his arguments. "In return, I've also accepted some of his, and we certainly want to resolve this situation politically during this week," he added. According to Danko, the name of a possible replacement for Taraba hasn't been and still isn't on the table. A change in the coalition agreement isn't under consideration, either, he said. The SNS chairman also declared that Parliament will function smoothly. "I don't expect any situation involving shock votes, as we've gone through all the points of the laws, and those that could have a risk of impacting the state budget will be postponed until September, when they will also be discussed with the finance minister," he said. The Government Office informed TASR on Monday that the Coalition Council has agreed on a joint course of action at the upcoming parliamentary session. Taraba doesn't intend to step down as head of the ministry. According to him, all the information regarding the management of the ministry is available to Danko. He views himself as an autonomous minister in the sense that he respects the law. The premier has repeatedly stated that no government reshuffle is being prepared. Whatever happens, he wants to focus primarily on ensuring that there will be a functioning governing majority and that it will be ready to approve the 2027 state budget. He described Taraba as an important member of the government with high-quality work results. ko/df