EX-DEFENSE minister Ivan Šimko may leave the Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ) and possibly become the fifth member of the ruling coalition, which would mean the ruling parties would have to reopen the coalition agreement.
Šimko, a co-founder of the SDKÚ, recently founded the Free Forum platform inside the SDKÚ over his disagreement with the practices of the party's leaders. Following a meeting with PM and SDKÚ chairman, Mikuláš Dzurinda, Šimko said that he did not see space in the SDKÚ for his project of a modern liberal and Christian party.
The Slovak daily Pravda wrote on December 8 that the SDKÚ's ruling partners are concerned about the development of the situation and are prepared to open the coalition agreement should Šimko decide to leave the SDKÚ along with seven of the party's MPs.
"If Šimko's group leaves, [reopening the coalition agreement] will be inevitable," MP Ľubomír Lintner, member of the ruling New Citizen's Alliance, said to Pravda.
Šimko is expected to meet with his supporters today to decide their next steps.
Compiled by Martina Pisárová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
8. Dec 2003 at 9:58
