Tomas: Voice-SD Not Interested in Snap Election, Danko and Taraba Must Agree

(STVR, 'O 5 minut 12', 27 September) The coalition Voice-SD party has no interest in a snap election; at this point, it's up to Slovak National Party (SNS) leader Andrej Danko and Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (a SNS nominee), who are at odds, to reach an agreement and ensure a majority in Parliament for the governing coalition, Voice-SD vice-chair and Labour Minister Erik Tomas said on STVR's discussion programme 'O 5 minut 12' (Five Minutes to Twelve) on Sunday. Tomas currently doesn't view Premier Robert Fico's (Smer-SD) statements regarding the possibility of a snap election as dramatic, but rather as an appeal to Danko and Taraba. "I think - and firmly believe - that Mr. Danko and Mr. Taraba will ultimately reach an agreement, since as key figures in this matter, they have said that they don't wish for this government to fall. I therefore firmly believe that they will act accordingly. Quite simply, they need to reach an agreement that will ensure that the governing majority continues to have a majority in Parliament. I see no other way forward at this point," stressed Tomas. "I have to say that the Voice-SD party doesn't want an early election, as it still wants to complete and deliver on the final things it promised to voters, so that it can go before voters ahead of the election, whether early or regular, with a clear account of its work. Voice-SD will have plenty to talk about, as we've achieved a lot, particularly in the social sphere," stated Tomas. Opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) vice-chair Marian Viskupic, also on the show, noted during the debate that the current government had promised the people stability and peace. "Unfortunately, we can see what they've actually delivered: instability, blackmail, Slovakia's decline, recession, and now, as you can see, even the premier is talking about a snap election. This government stopped focusing on the citizens long ago, it focuses solely on its own problems," he stated. Despite the current problems within the coalition, Viskupic doesn't currently see a snap election as a realistic prospect, viewing it instead as part of the negotiations. He thinks that the premier and Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenicky (Smer-SD) will ultimately satisfy the 'blackmailers' through next year's budget. ko