THE RULING Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) presented an ultimatum to its ruling coalition partner, the New Citizen's Alliance (ANO), the daily SME reported.
KDH chairman Pavol Hrušovský said that if the ANO breaks the coalition agreement again, the KDH will ask Prime Minister Mikuláš Dzurinda to recall ANO chairman Pavol Rusko from his post as Economy Minister.
"If the PM does not do so, the KDH will leave the cabinet," said Hrušovský.
The conservative KDH and liberal ANO have been embroiled in a series of conflicts throughout the current election term.
The most recent dispute related to KDH member Martin Fronc, who as Education Minister tried to introduce tuition fees for university education. The ANO did not support the proposal, saying it did not trust the minister.
The plan to charge university students for their education is, however, part of the government's programme, so the KDH is accusing the ANO of breaking the coalition agreement.
Prime Minister Dzurinda is now suggesting that his party, the Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ), will again try to get a law on tuition fees passed in six months time, and is hoping that the ANO will give its backing.
Dzurinda is proposing that the law take effect from September 2007, one year after the current election term.
Compiled by Martina Jurinová from press reports
The
Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information
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