GUGSP
© 1997, 98
Miro Sedivy |
GUGSP News Archive: 23 Feb - 01 Feb 1998
A summary of the most important events in the Slovak politics in the 9th week of the year 1998.
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WEEK 10
MONDAY 23 Feb 1998
Fifty-five days before the referendum, declared by Michal Kovac, should be held, the government is already thinking of the possibility of thwart the plebiscite after the government takes President's functions after 02 March. The leaders of three coalition parties Vladimir Meciar (Movement for a Democratic Slovakia - HZDS), Jan Slota (Slovak National Party - SNS) and Jan Luptak (Association of the Slovak Workers - ZRS) met today and discussed about such a possibility. According to them, this referendum, the same as the last year, is violating the Constitution. Even the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court have different vision of the referendum problem.
The leader of the opposition Democratic Union Eduard Kukan criticized the governmental coalition for their ignorance of the citizens and the Constitutional Court. According to him, the Slovak Democratic Coalition should challenge the people to show their strong protest against the limitation of their civic rights to the referendum. Brigita Schmognerova from the Party of the Democratic Left said, that her party will at least condemn the possible government's step. According to the leader of the Magyar Christian-Democratic Movement Bela Bugar, the last-year's reaction to the marred referendum was too weak, so it's necessary the citizens show their protest, also because the Constitution guarantees it to them.
The chairman of the Petition Committee for the last Referendum Ivan Simko (Christian-Democratic Movement) said, that if the government thwarts the referendum again, it's inevitable to organize massive protest actions in the streets.
Six days before he ends his mandate, the Slovak President Michal Kovac will meet the Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar tomorrow. They'll certainly speak about two resigning ministers (Social Affairs Minister and Economy Minister), but also about the transfer of President's functions after next Monday. It's possible that they'll also discuss about the Referendum declared for 19 April, and already marred by the government.
The General Secretary of NATO Javier Solana will come to Slovakia, which is not advancing to NATO currently, in a few weeks.
The new Electoral Law will not be probably presented before the end of this month. The Minister for the European Integration Jozef Kalman said, that it was already finished, and that it was important to hold free and democratic elections for our integration to the European Union.
Ladislav Pittner (Christian-Democratic Movement) criticizes the new Electoral Law, also because the lists of voters wouldn't be accessible on public places, but only on the Department Offices. So when the citizen does not go to check his presence in the list, it's quite possible he won't be allowed to vote in the vote room.
The Foreign Minister Zdenka Kramplova is in Malaysia, the chairman of the Parliament in the South Africa...
TUESDAY 24 Feb 1998
The President Michal Kovac and the Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar met today after 4pm in the President's Palace. This 40-minutes meeting, initiated by the Prime Minister last week, had to concern mainly the resignation of two Meciar's Ministers: Olga Keltosova (Social Affairs) and Karol Cesnek (Economy). Michal Kovac accepted with words, that it's not possible to force Ministers to work against their will. He'll name the new Ministers this Friday probably.
They also agreed about the organization of the official end of Michal Kovac's Presidential function, so that he'll meet the whole government on Monday 02 March in front of the President's Palace and he'll officially resign. According to the President's speaker Vladimir Stefko, the President's Office employees will have to leave their work, as the Prime Minister doesn't like them too much. However, the government should help them to find a new work.
They were also speaking about the new Electoral Law, the Prime Minister really wants to insist on the 5% limit for small parties, so that none deputy would represent some "mini-party". Vladimir Meciar still doesn't know, whether the Slovak Republic will be divided into 1, 4 or 8 vote districts.
After the meeting, Vladimir Meciar refused to give any information. Michal Kovac said, that the government simply cannot "cancel the referendum", because the Constitution doesn't know such term. The Referendum can be only incorrect, but the Constitutional Court should decide about it after.
The new-formed Party of the Civic Comprehension had its very first press-conference in Bratislava today. Its representatives, such as the Mayor of Kosice (the second Slovakia town) Rudolf Schuster and Banska Bystrica Mayor Igor Presperin and the former Foreign Minister Pavol Hamzik said, that the party wanted to improve the relation government - citizens. They want to restore the direct TV transmissions from the Slovak Parliament and to give more information about the government's work. They support the referendum as the President declared it last Friday. They also want to invite mayors of other bigger cities to enter their party. However, it would mean a creation of some "K8" group.
The leader of the Slovak National Party Jan Slota is against the referendum, as he thinks it's very useless to ask people whether they want to enter into NATO, if Madrid summit already decided about it. Also, the Slovak National Party is for the direct presidential election, but it cannot be asked in a referendum.
According to the chair of the petition club for Referendum Ivan Simko, the Slovak Democratic Party will react to the new-marred referendum only after the government does some more steps against the democratic right of citizens to express their opinion.
The novelization of the Army law proposed by Imrich Andrejcak and accepted in the Parliament, which will allow the 55-year old professional soldiers to leave the Army with financial compensation caused, that quite many soldiers about the age of 40 decided to leave the Army now.
The President met also the chair of the Trades Union Ivan Saktor, who highly appreciated the work of Michal Kovac in his office.
Tomorrow, it's the 50th anniversary of the memorable "Victory February 1948", when the communists took the power in Czechoslovakia for next 40 years...
WEDNESDAY 25 Feb 1998
Five days before he leaves the function, the Slovak President Michal Kovac held the very last press-conference in his Palace. On this over 90-minute long session, he briefly recapitulated his past five years in the President's place, not forgetting his own view to the future. He believes the government will hold free and democratic election, which is the only possible way for Slovakia. Kovac's greatest foreign-political success was the January summit of eleven Presidents in Slovakia, which meant that Europe is still respecting the country. His worst impression from past five years was when his son has been kidnapped and when someone told him after, that it was probably a self-kidnapping.
Michal Kovac also spoke about his relation to Vladimir Meciar, about the time when he decided not to fully respect all requests of the authoritative Prime Minister. The leaving President believes that his successor will follow his way toward the democracy and prospering country. Kovac also answered the question about the possibility of marred referendum: he will go into streets and invite other people to show their protest.
The parting ceremony of the President will be held on Monday 02 March after 4pm in front of the President's Palace.
The representatives of the strongest political subject in Slovakia the Slovak Democratic Coalition, consisting of five different political parties asked today for registration of the new political subject on the Interior Ministry. "Strana Slovenska Demokraticka Koalicia" (Party Slovak Democratic Coalition) will be the name of the new subject that should reach over 30% of votes in the Parliamentary Elections. The basic request of 1000 signatures have been fulfilled, so the new party, originally formed of the Christian-Democratic Movement, Democratic Party, Democratic Union, Social-Democratic Party in Slovakia and Green Party in Slovakia, should be able to face the attacks from the governmental coalition, which wants to minimize the chances of SDK in the elections.
According to the Slovak Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar, his deputies should present the novelization of the Electoral Law in March. The Social Affairs Minister Olga Keltosova said, that HZDS was already discussing with the Party of the Democratic Left (SDL) and it would also continue in the discussions. However, Lubomir Fogas (SDL) said, that they didn't know about the Law, but only from media. Words of Mikulas Dzurinda, the spokesman of the Slovak Democratic Coalition prove, that there's no governmental novelization of the law, and that only some deputy will propose such a novelization in the last while.
Today was the last day for the attempted murder of Vladimir Meciar. He declared a few weeks ago, that an attempted murder of him is prepared, and should be held within 25th February. Several persons had to receive nearly 700,000 USD for successful action. However, it seems Vladimir Meciar is still here...
The Slovak Democratic Coalition will support the presidential candidate of the Party of the Democratic Left Ladislav Baller, but in reality, it depends on the personal decision of every one deputy. The Slovak National Party will again think about Vladimir Meciar as the possible candidate in the third round.
Over 95% shares of the Slovakia's biggest and most important press distribution service PNS (First Newspaper Company) has been privatized by Danubia Print, a publisher of some newspapers very near to the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS) for about 14 million USD.
The juridical process with the President's son Michal Kovac jr. in Germany should begin within six months, as the procurator still has too much work.
The second Slovakia's newspaper PRAVDA, originally the biggest communist newspaper, finished their large inquiry "virtual elections" today with over 100,000 votes. Naturally, the Party of the Democratic Left would win with 26.5%, which reflects the orientation of the newspaper. The entirely-new-formed Party of Civic Comprehension would get 23.5% would be the second. On other places, the Slovak Democratic Coalition (21.5%), Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (12.8%) and Communist Party of Slovakia (11.2%).
Only three candidates for the first Slovak astronaut remained in Moscow after one did not resist to very exacting eliminatory tests in Moscow. The flight held next year maybe will cost Slovakia over 15 mil. USD.
Fifty years since the "Victory February" when the Communists took the power in the Czechoslovak Republic...
THURSDAY 26 Feb 1998
The Slovak President Michal Kovac met today almost all foreign Ambassadors to Slovakia in his Palace four days before he leaves his office. There were plenty of different luxurious cars with national flags, and also many people behind the fence watching the incoming Ambassadors.
Michal Kovac also accepted the resignation of the Social Affairs Minister Olga Keltosova and Economy Minister Karol Cesnek. Olga Keltosova is already looking forward to her new place in New York, as the Ambassador to the United Nations. She attempted to do so in 1996 already, but the President didn't accept. Now, he doesn't have any other possibility. Vladimir Meciar, as the successor of Michal Kovac in most of his functions, will be allowed to send Olga Keltosova to New York as the Ambassador. Michal Kovac accepted he resignation with words, that it wouldn't be possible to force her to work as a Minister if she doesn't want to.
The situation about the new Electoral Law is still not very clear. There was a press-conference at HZDS (Movement for a Democratic Slovakia) today. According to the law expert of HZDS Jan Cuper, it won't be a deputy proposal, but a real governmental proposal of law. However, even yesterday's GUGSP news say, that according to the Prime Minister and the leader of HZDS, some deputy would propose the new law. When Cuper learnt that from the journalists, he excused himself that he wasn't here for past 5 days, so it's possible that also a deputy would propose the new law.
Dusan Macuska (HZDS) then said, that on 04 March he'll suggest the court about Michal Kovac, the current Slovak President leaving on 02 March. He did not precise the concrete points of his suggestion, but when asked, whether it would cause Michal Kovac's imprisonment, Jan Cuper said: "Who would imprison him, who would dig in his garden instead of him..."
Jan Cuper also spoke about the presence of foreign observers on the Parliamentary elections in Slovakia, mainly from OBSE. According to Cuper, such observers are organizing the elections only in countries as Albania or Bosnia-Herzegovina, with unstable political system, and high possibility of manipulation of the election from the side of government. Cuper says, Slovakia is not such a country... (...really???)
In the case of again-marred referendum, the Christian-Democratic Movement will mobilize the people into streets until the parliamentarian elections. Ludovit Cernak (Democratic Union) would prefer a new petition for a new referendum.
The Austrian President Thomas Klestil said in Brussels, that Slovakia still belongs into European Union, but it has to respect more democratic principles. The Swedish Foreign Minister Lena Hjelm-Wallen met today the Slovak Foreign Minister Zdenka Kramplova and the Slovak President Michal Kovac.
According to Jan Havlat, the lawyer of Michal Kovac jr (President's son, currently imprisoned in Germany), the procurator should decide next week, whether Michal Kovac jr. will be allowed to leave the prison.
Yesterday was the last day of "attempted murder" of Vladimir Meciar, announced by himself a few weeks ago. There were no attempts at all, but the Prime Minister still has very strong bodyguards, and all objects he's moving in are well protected. Vladimir Meciar met today the pupils and younger students, who were successful in international competitions. The Prime Minister, between eight bodyguards, appreciated the very good image of Slovakia these young people are perfecting abroad.
FRIDAY 26 Feb 1998
Daily Praca brought the complete text of the speech of the Prime Minister about the pre-electoral strategy of HZDS. Geocitizen's Unofficial Guide to Slovak Politics is bringing you the brief translation.
In the case the government mars the referendum again, the Slovak Democratic Coalition will initiate a petition action again. The another referendum should be held on the day of Parliamentary Elections (in September 1998) with two questions: (1): Are you for a favor with the direct election of the President without modifying President's authorities? (2): In the case there's no President, do you wish the rights from the Article 102/f of the Constitution:
"appoints and recalls the prime minister and other members of the Government of the Slovak Republic, entrusts them with the management of ministries, and accepts their resignation."
would be performed by the Chairman of the National Council?"
Three days before the current President Michal Kovac leaves the office, he named the two new Ministers of the third Meciar's government. New Economy Minister Milan Cagala succeeded Karol Cesnek. Social Affairs Minister Vojtech Tkac, a successor of Olga Keltosova was a State Secretary on this Ministry. Vojtech Tkac has been asked, what will he do in the current situation, when 50% of families are near of poverty. He argued, that according to many statistics, everything seems getting much better... (???)
Six days before the second round of Presidential Elections, it seems Slovakia will remain without a President still a long time... There are two candidates: Milan Fogas, with the support of a few Workers deputies, and Ladislav Ballek, supported by the Party of the Democratic Left, Slovak Democratic Coalition and Magyar Coalition. However, the governmental coalition and mainly the HZDS won't support any of these candidates...
The Slovak President Michal Kovac returned to the Parliament the Law on Social Secure of the Soldiers. After the Defense Minister asked the President, Michal Kovac criticized the age of 55, and 20 years of active service, which would be requested to allow a soldier to leave the army with a special financial compensation.
Vladimir Meciar met the Swedish Foreign Minister Lena Hjelm-Wallen at the end of her visit to Slovakia. The Slovak Prime Minister said, that his Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS) really wanted to have a new Slovakia President, and that the very positive political discussions were continuing...
The General Secretary of NATO Javier Solana will come to Slovakia for a two-days visit on Thursday 05 March, invited by Vladimir Meciar.
The Interior Minister Gustav Krajci continues in the finding of the real responsible persons for the attempted murder of the Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar. He's continually informing the Prime Minister...
Congratulations to the radio Twist, which is broadcasting in the Eastern Slovakia since today! Rudolf Schuster, the mayor of the second Slovakia town Kosice wished a good luck to this private radio with simply the most complete and objective news in Slovakia. Jan Cuper, the law expert of HZDS just said, that the Eastern Slovakia will get completely isolated from the "objective information", as they cannot have the Slovak TV... (???)
However, Good luck, Radio Twist!
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