CER | Slovakia: Debating constitutional reform change

A Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) proposal to include a ban on abortion was declared out of order. The opposition Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS) informed President Rudolf Schuster that they could not support the reformed constitution in its proposed form.

The Chairman of the Supreme Court, Štefan Harabín, has also spoken to Schuster about the Court's objections to proposed changes to its position contained in the revised constitution.

There have been signs that Government fears over its ability to obtain the necessary constitutional majority could lead to some of the Opposition's proposals being taken on board.

Difficult road to NATO ahead

The leader of the NATO mission which is assessing Slovakia's preparedness for membership of the alliance has warned politicians that there is a lot of hard work ahead. NATO Deputy Secretary-General Peter Klaiber was speaking in Bratislava on Wednesday 14 February.

He praised the Government's efforts so far, saying Slovakia had made "significant progress." Last year a visiting US General, Joseph Garrett, sparked an embarrassing incident when he described the Slovak army's combat capability as "almost zero."

Peter Klaiber's report will be the basis for a meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels in June which will decide how best to proceed with Slovakia's membership application.

Party leaders smear each other

The KDH says it will sue the leader of the Smer Party, Róbert Fico, over allegations that the Christian Democrats would profit from the purchase of subsonic fighter aircraft for the Slovak Air Force. KDH leader Pavol Hrušovský said Fico was lying.

"He's talking rubbish, making allegations he can't prove," Hrušovský said, adding that the party would be seeking damages of SKK one million (USD 20,000). The KDH vice-chairman and Parliamentary Defence Committe chairman Vladimír Palko has been active in seeking cross-party support for the replacement of the air force's fleet of ageing supersonic MiG fighters.

Speaking on Thursday February 15, Róbert Fico accused the KDH of influencing judges through its control of the Justice Ministry, and of wanting to terrorise the Opposition.

He further alleged that the resignation of Defence Minister Pavol Kanis in January was not due to questions about how he paid for the building of his villa, but was because he was opposed to certain transactions.

From Russia with love

The leader of the Slovak National Party (SNS), Anna Malíková, returned from a trip to Moscow to visit her controversial Russian boyfrined, Vasilij Alexander Belousov. A number of senior SNS members have alleged that Belousov, who was formerly wanted by the Russian authorities on fraud charges, has issued threats against them, including death threats.

Malíková's position as party leader has been the subject of intense media speculation in recent weeks. Photographs of the SNS leader in "romantic" poses with Belousov appeared in the weekly magazine Plus 7 Dní.

Extra local funding for Roma housing

The Government has increased grants made to local authorities to providing housing for members of the Roma community. The minister for Construction and Regional Development, István Harna, made the announcement on Tuesday 13 February.

The subsidy for public-owned flats will be increased from 50 to 80 per cent. Harna said he would like to see mayors involving Roma workers in the construction of the flats.

Robin Sheeran, 16 February 2001

Moving on:

Sources:

TASR (Slovak Press Agency)
SITA (Slovak News Agency)
ČTK (Czech News Agency)
Pravda
Republika
Slovak Spectator
SME

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