Malatinec to Build Party with Taraba, Huliak Says Coalition Hasn't Lost MP

Bratislava, 3 November (TASR) - I've decided to start from scratch and build a political project along with former environment minister Tomas Taraba, Independent MP Roman Malatinec told the media on Tuesday, adding that in Parliament he wants to support legislation that makes sense. He said that on Tuesday he also announced his decision to Rudolf Huliak, the leader of the extra-parliamentary Rural Party, in which Malatinec served as deputy chairman. Huliak said that the news came as a surprise, as he had no indication that Malatinec was considering this move. However, Huliak believes that the coalition isn't losing an MP. "This wasn't done in haste; I've been thinking about my political views and the goals that we want to achieve in Parliament for a long time," said Malatinec. "I met Mr Huliak this morning and thanked him for our cooperation so far. I think that we agreed on certain matters and disagreed on others, but that's politics. I've decided that we'll start from scratch, building a project with Tomas Taraba. My goal is clear: to participate in this project, and that's the most important thing," stated Malatinec. Besides Malatinec and Taraba, the project also includes Independent MP Peter Slysko, who left the junior coalition Voice-SD party. "The opposition will certainly exploit this by saying that the governing parties have lost their majority. I want to say on behalf of the three of us that we'll certainly support bills that make sense and help people. That's all I can say about it," he added. Malatinec declined to specify any disagreements between himself and Huliak, who said that he had learned of his departure on Tuesday morning. "Until then there were no indications, absolutely nothing; he presented me with a fait accompli," Huliak told journalists. "At this moment I don't know the reason, nor did he give me one," he added, although he's not afraid of that the coalition will lose a vote. "I think that Roman Malatinec remains a firm part of the coalition," he stated. MP Richard Gluck (Smer-SD) believes that Malatinec will continue to support the governing coalition in a different party and help carry out the government manifesto. He isn't worried about further developments in the coalition and thinks that it will manage. jrg/df