Monitor: Coalition May Revise Postal Voting Reform Before September Session

(TA3,'V politike', 28 June) The governing coalition wants to resolve a proposed amendment to postal voting from abroad during Parliament's September session and as part of the bill, the coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) plans to introduce changes to the threshold for preferential voting in parliamentary elections, a move previously opposed by MPs associated with the extra-parliamentary Rural Party. Speaking on TA3's discussion programme 'V politike' (In Politics) on Sunday, SNS parliamentary caucus leader Roman Michelko said the proposal could still be revised. "We are prepared to reduce the eight percent threshold for preferential votes even to three percent, but only if the number of preferential votes is cut to two," Michelko declared. He added that the Rural Party has also softened its position on the issue. Michelko also commented on the expected personnel change at the helm of the Environment Ministry, which is due by 30 September if SNS fails to reach an agreement with its nominee, Tomas Taraba. He said SNS leader Andrej Danko had met Taraba for lunch to discuss expectations for the period leading up to 30 September. Smer-SD parliamentary caucus leader Jan Richter said he expected the ministerial change to take place. He warned that Taraba's potential return to Parliament could create difficulties, in light of the coalition's slim majority. Michelko said he did not believe Taraba would support the current opposition if he returned to the House. Progressive Slovakia parliamentary caucus head Zuzana Mesterova said people in Slovakia have become hostages to disputes within the governing coalition, questioning whether the country did not face more pressing issues. KDH parliamentary caucus head Igor Janckulik said ordinary people were unconcerned about who served as minister and were instead dealing with the state of roads, railways and healthcare. The September session is also expected to consider the Justice Ministry's draft new Civil Code, currently at its second reading. Opposition MPs called for more time for debate. Mesterova criticised the shortened debate at first reading, saying it had left insufficient time to examine the proposal and identify potential problems. She also voiced concern about possible amendments. Richter said the coalition has no intention of curtailing debate, while Michelko argued that the draft contained no controversial provisions and that he did not expect substantial changes through amendments. mf