President: Country Split into Two Camps One of Biggest Problems

Bratislava, 16 September (TASR) - President Peter Pellegrini in his State of the Republic address in Parliament on Wednesday said that he considers the political division of the country into two irreconcilable camps to be one of the biggest and most dangerous problems facing Slovakia today, expressing regret that the divide is deepening and that it wasn't even halted by such an unprecedented event as the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) two years ago. Pellegrini also declared that, as president, he'll continue to explore all avenues to halt and reverse the situation, calling on both MPs and the people of Slovakia to look for common ground actively. In the context of the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, he pointed to the contrast in public discourse between the issues that truly trouble people and what politicians offer them. The head of state stressed that while a pilgrimage was taking place in Sastin (Trnava region), politicians were busy intriguing among themselves. "For the first time in history, this pilgrimage was held two days before the actual date of the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, because this feast is no longer a day of rest, having fallen victim to the consolidation of public finances. This has become one of the key topics of Slovak political life over the past three years, with all political actors contributing their part to it," said Pellegrini, adding that consolidation affects the quality of life for many people in Slovakia. He recalled that, in Sastin, the importance of human and national cohesion was highlighted once again. "And while this pilgrimage was taking place, television channels, as every Sunday, offered viewers a series of political debates in which the speakers showed each other no mercy, either politically or personally," said Pellegrini. He added that there's a "terrible contrast" between what Slovakia really needs, what problems truly trouble people, and "what we as politicians are offering them". According to the president, people urgently need to hear a kind word, but above all, to feel the government feels solidarity with their own lives. "There's no point in people hearing that the entire country must cut back on spending while the government increases its own income through the back door. There's no point in people wanting to live in safety if the government's intention to protect public safety is questioned via various scandals. There's no point in people hearing about the need for calm if the governing coalition, in addition to its clashes with the opposition, serves them its own disputes every month, even though these should have been resolved behind closed doors," stated Pellegrini. He also said that Slovakia still ranks among the safest countries in the world, with first-hand experience of two different approaches to protecting its borders and dealing with illegal migrants. "On the one hand, with borders being completely open to virtually anyone, even with the political caveat that we must get used to it, and on the other, with strong border controls and a strict response to illegal crossings," he said, adding that he believes that people want the second approach, with the state determining who can come to live and work in Slovakia and under what conditions. "When someone comes to Slovakia legally and lives here legally, works hard and raises their children, they must feel just as safe as any citizen of the Slovak Republic," he said, adding that the security forces must combat intolerance and manifestations of extremism in society at an early stage. jrg/df