Rasi: Parliament to Begin Next Session as Planned on 15 September

Bratislava, 9 September (TASR) - The next session of Parliament will begin as planned on 15 September and no problems are expected within the coalition over approval of its agenda, House Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) declared on Wednesday. Rasi was speaking to journalists after the parliamentary meeting attended by the leaders of the coalition parliamentary caucuses and the parliamentary leadership representing the coalition parties. The session's agenda will contain more than 300 items and Parliament will seek to discuss all of them where possible, said Rasi. "Parliament will work according to the standard structure of the agenda. This means we're going to discuss government bills first, followed by coalition MPs' bills, then opposition proposals, and we will also set aside a large block for resolutions submitted to Parliament. (...) Based on the coalition council's discussions, we do not expect problems either with the structure of the agenda or its approval," he said. Asked by journalists about the possible departure of Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (SNS nominee), whose removal has been demanded by SNS, Rasi said the issue had not been discussed at the coalition meeting. He pointed out, however, that there was an agreement to proceed with the parliamentary session, meaning coalition partners will reach an agreement on the matter. "If there were no agreement, I would tell you today that the House would not sit," he said. The parliamentary speaker also outlined other items on the agenda. Government proposals are to be given priority. In the case of coalition MPs' bills with a financial impact, the coalition has agreed that only those approved by the Finance Ministry will be passed in the second reading. President Peter Pellegrini is also expected to address Parliament during the September session with a report on the state of the Republic. "We have been informed that the president wants to deliver a report on the state of the Republic. Whatever date he chooses, we will accept it," Rasi said. He added that Parliament also wants to discuss proposed resolutions, as well as the prosecutor-general's report on the activities of the prosecution service and its findings regarding the state of legality in Slovakia. Rasi also responded to questions about the possible abolition of the transaction tax. He noted that none of the proposals submitted to Parliament concerns the transaction tax. "So we could not discuss it today. It's a matter for the coalition council, which will meet before Parliament and, in particular, also meet because of the state budget. That is where it's going to be discussed," he added. mf