SNS: Coalition Agreements Remain in Force; No-confidence Motion in Taraba Plan B

Bratislava, 15 September (TASR) - The coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) is unlikely to table a motion in Parliament to dismiss Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (an SNS nominee), chair of the SNS parliamentary caucus Roman Michelko told reporters on Wednesday, adding that he expects President Peter Pellegrini to comment shortly after receiving the motion to remove Taraba. Michelko described the possible dismissal of Taraba in Parliament as a contingency plan. According to him, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has confirmed that the coalition agreements remain in force and that he "will take action". "We've been assured that the commitments under the coalition agreement will be honoured," said Michelko regarding SNS's demand for Taraba's dismissal. According to him, SNS anticipated that even if a motion for Taraba's dismissal were to be tabled on Tuesday, a date would have to be arranged with the President's Office, and this wouldn't be possible immediately. "But the key point is that the process will begin," he stated. According to him, SNS is unlikely to initiate the minister's ouster in the House. "Probably not, but, of course, everything will also depend on the reactions of the President's Office. I expect the president to make a statement within two days, and, of course, this is, let's call it, a contingency plan," he stressed. Michelko also said that, until a formal dismissal has taken place, Taraba can continue to serve as minister. "We haven't changed any nominees so far. The nominee we put forward remains," he replied when asked who SNS is proposing to replace Taraba. SNS wants current Environment Ministry State Secretary Filip Kuffa to become the new head of the Environment Ministry. am/df