VILIAM Novotný announced his leave from Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ) after its presidium refused the proposal of five regional party’s chairmen including Novotný, aimed at altering the statutes of SDKÚ and changing the way the opposition party is run during a party session, held on November 27.
Novotný, who was overseeing the party regional organisation in Košice region, may not be the only one who leaves the party in the foreseeable future. Head of SDKÚ’s Banská Bystrica regional organisation and former party vice-chair Jozef Mikuš, is also considering his future engagement in the party, according to the TASR newswire.
SDKÚ has lost a number of prominent members over the past year. Since the 2012 general election, the party has lost six lawmakers Lucia Žitňanská, Miroslav Beblavý and Magda Vášáryová left in December 2013, while former party head Mikuláš Dzurinda and Ivan Mikloš announced their decision in early June and former party vice-chair Martin Fedor decided to leave on November 19.
Novotný reportedly plans to support the project of former head of the private radio station Rádio Expres, Eva Babitzová, who joined SDKÚ just for two months and now is preparing her own party, according to TASR.
SDKÚ Presidium member Ľudovít Kaník proposed changes to the party’s statutes and also wanted to change the manner in which the party determines its election leader. The party’s presidium stated that it is willing to accept changes however it did not do so, as five heads of regional organisations were not present, according to TASR.
Kaník also sent a message to those people who do not want to consolidate the party not to prolong the mutual agony.
“Those who want SDKÚ to consolidate and go forward, let them get to work,” Kaník, as quoted by TASR. “And those who don’t want to continue let them say fairly that they quit and let there be no hard feelings - we’re moving on. But to prolong the mutual agony and seek reasons why something can’t be done - that’s not entirely honest.”
Source: TASR
Compiled by Roman Cuprik from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
