Coalition and Opposition Disagree on No-confidence Motions in Gaspar and Dubeci

(STVR, 'O 5 minut 12', 7 June) According to statements they made on STVR's discussion programme 'O 5 minut 12' (Five Minutes to Twelve) on Sunday, coalition and opposition representatives disagree on the issue of no-confidence motions in House Vice-chairs Tibor Gaspar (Smer-SD) and Martin Dubeci (Progressive Slovakia/PS). While the coalition sees no grounds for the removal of Gaspar, arguing with the presumption of innocence, it views the reasons for removing Dubeci as legitimate. The opposition disagrees and insists on dismissing Gaspar, who it says is harming Parliament and the country. According to MP Jan Mazgut (Smer-SD), the opposition doesn't respect the presumption of innocence in Gaspar's case. He also accused it of using double standards, saying it sees a 'speck' in others' eyes but ignores the 'plank' in its own. "If Gaspar is causing harm as the opposition claims, we should also recall Dubeci's plastic bag case," stated Mazgut, referring to alleged non-transparent financing of a presidential campaign in the past. Commenting on opinion polls suggesting that even some Smer and coalition voters don't want Gaspar in office, he said he didn't take them seriously, just like the polls of political parties' popularity. MP Michal Bartek (Voice-SD) also thinks that the opposition uses double standards. If the presumption of innocence applies, there are no grounds for Gaspar to leave the post. In the event of obstruction by the opposition, he has no problem with a no-confidence motion in Dubeci. He claimed the opposition is 'obsessed' with Gaspar. He views opposition efforts to remove some ministers as a political 'folklore', though admitting that the opposition has the right to do so. He added that Voice-SD stands behind its own ministers and those of its coalition partners, considering the grounds for their dismissal to be trivial. PS caucus head Zuzana Mesterova said she expects a fair trial in the 'Purgatory' case, in which Gaspar has been charged, and one that won't be politically manipulated by the coalition. She also criticised recent changes to penal legislation, which she said were intended to help Gaspar. She insists on his removal, pointing to serious suspicions. According to her, the reputational risks in this case are based on facts, not 'fabricated hoaxes' like in Dubeci's case. She rejected claims that PS is obsessed with Gaspar, saying the only person who is obsessed with him is Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD). According to MP Marian Viskupic (Freedom and Solidarity/SaS), the no-confidence motion in Gaspar shouldn't have taken place at all, since in a democratic country a decent person would step down and only return to office after clearing their name. He said that no-confidence motions should only be held when there are legitimate grounds, not on a tit-for-tat' basis. ko