Richter: No Crisis in Coalition, Just Matter of Finding Compromises

Bratislava, 9 June (TASR) - There is no crisis in the coalition, but seeking compromises is part of coalition politics, and what matters is the government manifesto, on which there is consensus, head of the Smer-SD parliamentary caucus Jan Richter told a press conference on Tuesday, adding that it's primarily the opposition that is talking about a crisis. Smer-SD MP also pointed to the relationships between the opposition parties, and he responded to efforts to unite smaller parties into a so-called 'ark', as previously discussed by Progressive Slovakia (PS) leader Michal Simecka. "No crises, just normal coalition life, in which every single member of the governing coalition has a perfectly natural interest in asserting itself, but at the same time respecting the agreement set forth in the government manifesto, which is fully respected and unchangeable," stated Richter, noting that the Slovak National Party (SNS) and Voice-SD parliamentary caucuses have faced issues with lawmakers leaving, but this was resolved in a way that ensured a parliamentary majority. According to Richter, finding a compromise is much more complicated when it comes to legislative proposals. "Unless we reach a compromise, we postpone decisions or votes to a later date and continue negotiations. This isn't a crisis; it's a search for a compromise - it's the normal, day-to-day work of a coalition that is and will continue to be carried out," he emphasised. For example, Smer will support SNS's parliamentary proposals if an agreement is reached. "Where no agreement has yet been reached, these matters will be postponed until the state budget for the next calendar year is adopted and it becomes clear to what extent the budget includes - or doesn't include - the amount needed to address the proposals under consideration," he added. The only tool the opposition has - and one that it uses very frequently, according to Richter - is the "unrestrained" use of no-confidence motions in ministers or parliamentary officials. "They've discredited this tool. It has no relevance or validity, because it's the only policy that they know how to endorse and pretend is a solution offered by the opposition, regardless of the justifications," he stated. According to Smer-SD, the current opposition parties aren't prepared to govern or cooperate. "If opposition politicians are coming out today with a story about Noah and some biblical ark, then they must first clearly state and identify who represents the ark and who represents the flood," said House Vice-chair Tibor Gaspar (Smer-SD), adding that the previous government left a flood in Slovakia, as it disrupted public finances and, for example, failed to handle the migration issue. am/df