SaS Warns of Broader President's Powers, PS Calls for Kuffa's Withdrawal

Bratislava, 27 October (TASR) – Opposition's party Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) warns of the possible consequences of a broader interpretation of the president's powers when appointing government members, whereas Progressive Slovakia (PS) calls on the Slovak National Party (SNS) to withdraw Filip Kuffa's nomination for environment minister and propose a new candidate instead. The parties responded this way to President Peter Pellegrini's decision to refer the nomination to the Constitutional Court. MP Alojz Hlina (SaS) warned that a broader interpretation of the president's powers to assess ministerial nominees could lead to the emergence of two centres of power. "I am asking whether society is prepared for a situation in which we have two centres of power, one at the Government Office and the other at the Presidential Palace," he said at a press conference on Tuesday. Hlina added the president should not interfere in political parties' personnel decisions beyond the scope of his constitutional powers. SaS therefore wants to wait for the Constitutional Court's ruling, which, according to the MP, could affect the division of powers between the country's highest constitutional institutions. PS, by contrast, argues that the Environment Ministry cannot afford to wait for the court's decision. MP Tamara Stohlova (PS) called on the SNS to withdraw Kuffa's nomination and put forward a new candidate. "There is no reason to wait, and certainly not for a Constitutional Court ruling. Andrej Danko (SNS) must put forward a new candidate for environment minister," she said. According to Stohlova, suspicions of criminal activity disqualify Kuffa from serving as either minister or deputy minister. She warned that proceedings before the Constitutional Court could take months, adding that the Environment Ministry could not afford such a delay. Pellegrini announced on Tuesday his plan to refer Kuffa's proposed appointment as environment minister to the Constitutional Court. He wants the court to define the scope of the president's powers when appointing government members, adding that he won't appoint Kuffa until the court's decision. mf