Extraordinary parliamentary session over discarded opposition bills ends in failure

The extraordinary parliamentary session called for by the opposition to discuss a host of its bills discarded from the parliamentary agenda by the ruling Smer party took place on September 25; as Smer gave its consent to the programme. Five motions made it to the agenda, mostly sponsored by the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH): the proposed rule of a single mandate in order to prevent lawmakers from simultaneously serving as mayors or governors and thus enjoying multiple salaries; an amendment designed to ban lawmakers from simultaneously practising law; and the proposal to introduce two-round elections for mayors. Two weeks ago, Smer discarded 10 opposition motions from the agenda, with head of Smer caucus Jana Laššáková claiming that they form part of opposition’s election campaign before the upcoming municipal election, slated for November 15. The opposition strongly protested and since that time has decided to withdraw all of its bills and has been boycotting parliamentary votes.

The extraordinary parliamentary session called for by the opposition to discuss a host of its bills discarded from the parliamentary agenda by the ruling Smer party took place on September 25; as Smer gave its consent to the programme.

Five motions made it to the agenda, mostly sponsored by the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH): the proposed rule of a single mandate in order to prevent lawmakers from simultaneously serving as mayors or governors and thus enjoying multiple salaries; an amendment designed to ban lawmakers from simultaneously practising law; and the proposal to introduce two-round elections for mayors.

Two weeks ago, Smer discarded 10 opposition motions from the agenda, with head of Smer caucus Jana Laššáková claiming that they form part of opposition’s election campaign before the upcoming municipal election, slated for November 15. The opposition strongly protested and since that time has decided to withdraw all of its bills and has been boycotting parliamentary votes.

However, the Smer-dominated parliament on September 25 voted down the proposal to make the mayoral election a two-round event and to ban MPs form having another public position like that of a mayor or a regional governor. MPs also can execute their legal trade and the public officials holding several positions will not have their salaries reduced to just one. The refused proposals were tabled by KDH, the TASR newswire wrote.

The Government Office also hands in a draft bill proposing the regulation of salaries of public officials; it has been filed for inter-ministerial assessment and comments. It stipulates that MPs would receive just one salary for their public function, and any other public position would be remunerated only with an amount up to a minimum wage.

The next parliamentary session should be a regular one in mid October, but there might be extraordinary sessions summoned to oust Prime Minister Robert Fico and Labour Minister Ján Richter, TASR wrote.

(Source: TASR)
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.

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