After talks that lasted into the wee hours, the ĽS-HZDS has decided to remain in the governing coalition, its chairman, Vladimír Mečiar, said on November 29. But the former prime minister would only guarantee stability until May 2008, when a decision on whether Slovakia qualifies for accession into the Eurozone is expected.
"The agreements achieved last night are partial," Mečiar said. “For now, we have to go back to a functioning coalition.”
Mečiar also took the time to rebuff rumors that the ĽS-HZDS could fracture, calling the notion “absolutely groundless”.
Mečiar called the agreements reached with Prime Minister Fico “pragmatic”: Mečiar’s party will not leave the coalition if Fico respects the rules of a representative government.
Still, tempers occasionally flared.
"Robert Fico is a child of Fortune," Mečiar said.
The ĽS-HZDS also negotiated more power for the new agriculture minister, ĽS-HZDS MP Zdenka Kramplová. SITA
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
29. Nov 2007 at 14:00
