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Zajac: Trimming of MP's Immunity Not Feasible via Referendum
Monday 26 July 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, July 26 (TASR) - The hope for the trimming of MP's immunity can only be managed via a Constitutional Act, and not via the planned referendum initiated by Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party, said head of the Civic Conservative Party (OKS) and Most-Hid MP Peter Zajac on Monday.
According to Zajac, the September 18 the six-question referendum does not directly address the issue of immunity. "The hope that it (the referendum) would resolve the problem is not compatible with the question in the referendum," Zajac explained. "That question addresses only the trimming of the immunity in misdemeanour proceedings." In his opinion these misdemeanor proceedings can be dealt with via a simple legislative amendment, which doesn't require a referendum.
Zajac adds that the OKS four – elected via preferential ballots on the Most-Hid slate – will concentrate on the passing of the Constitutional Act. "After all the fuss (over immunity), now it is up to the parties to show how they really approach the issue," he said.
In order to have greater clarity in the future, Zajac also said his party plans to submit a proposal amending the regulations concerning referendums in two respects: their effectivity as well as the range of possibilities that can be subject to a referendum.
OKS does not plan to participate at the campaign supporting this referendum. However, "the referendum was announced, people have the right to participate and nobody can take this right away from them," he stated.
SaS spokesperson Tatiana Tothova said it would be nice if this topic could be discussed in Parliament, however the party fears that this will be close to impossible. "Now it's people's turn to decide," added Tothova.
President Ivan Gasparovic announced earlier in July that the referendum questions involve: abolishing television and radio licence fees, curbing MPs' immunity, downsizing the number of MPs from 150 to 100, setting the maximum purchasing price for cars used by Government officials, and helping to make voting in elections available via the internet. The sixth question concerns removing the right to reply from public officials (as included in the current Press Act of 2008).
Analysts unanimously expect the referendum to be a failure due to low turnout, partly because it will take place between last month's general election and the local elections in November.
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