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Figel: Many Sick Incidents in Parliament Over Past Four Years
Monday 31 May 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, May 31 (TASR) - Many "sick incidents" took place in Parliament over the past four years, Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) chairman Jan Figel said at a press conference on Monday, levelling criticism at the ruling Coalition over its behaviour in the House.
According to Figel, the Coalition has become "drunk with power". KDH parliamentary caucus chairman Pavol Hrusovsky claimed that no proper debate has taken place in Parliament lately, as the ruling majority has used its superiority in numbers to pass whatever legislation it wants. Hrusovsky "was saddened to report that the level of parliamentary democracy has gone down so much that it has translated into a negative perception among the public".
Hrusovsky also mentioned a number of scandals that have severely undermined public confidence in elected officials. In particular he attacked Parliamentary Chairman Pavol Paska, who changed the text of an approved piece of legislation before sending it to the president. "That was a huge blow for Slovak parliamentary democracy," said Hrusovsky.
He also expressed disbelief at the fact that the conduct of Slovak National Party (SNS) MP Rafael Rafaj, who forged his party chairman Jan Slota's signature on the parliamentary attendance list, was left unpunished despite incriminating evidence. Hrusovsky criticised former justice minister Stefan Harabin as well, saying that his vulgar attack on KDH MP Daniel Lipsic was despicable [During a parliamentary session in September 2009, which saw an unsuccessful no-confidence vote in Harabin as justice minister, Harabin said "you'll go to jail, you dirty bastard" to Lipsic, and made other remarks about him that were generally viewed as anti-semitic. - ed. note]. Hrusovsky also said that he can't approve of the tone of speeches made by the chairmen of coalition parties Slota and Vladimir Meciar (LS-HZDS), which have become more vulgar with every passing moment.
In its election programme, KDH suggests "measures to make parliamentary work more efficient", including a reduction in MPs' immunity and stricter rules regarding the compatibility of elected offices. According to him, co-operation between the opposition and coalition pays off, as seen in the cases of the State Citizenship Act amendment and efforts to maintain the existence of the special court in Pezinok. However, Hrusovsky feels regret that the Opposition was able to have only one legislative proposal passed.
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