Deputy Prime Minister Pál Csáky, who is the architect of Slovakia's anti-discriminatory law, which the country adopted on May 20, criticised Justice Minister Daniel Lipšic who has questioned the constitutionality of introducing affirmative action, news wire SITA wrote.
The Justice Minister says that although affirmative action is not at odds with the EU directives, it contradicts the Slovak Constitution.
Lipsic threatens to take the legislation to the Constitutional Court once adopted. Csaky, however, thinks that the minister wants to attract public attention.
The anti-discriminatory law was passed in May, affording to Slovakia's racial and ethnic groups preferential treatment in certain situations.
Among its premises the law will set quotas for admitting members of racial and ethnic minorities into schools and monitor the employment of these groups.
Csaky says affirmative action cannot have an anti-constitutional nature, arguing that there are social groups in Slovakia who need special assistance.
"I think that a good democratic government should create conditions to comply with this requirement," he said.
Compiled by Beata Balogová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
