FORMER Slovak prime minister Robert Fico has attacked what he called the “pseudo-negotiations” in Brussels on Tuesday, July 13, involving his successor, Prime Minister Iveta Radičová, as nothing but a ploy to pave the way for giving consent to the EFSF, according to the TASR newswire.
Radičová was discussing the terms of the €750-billion European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), which will become functional only after being signed by the 16 eurozone finance ministers and approved by the national parliaments of the eurozone member states.
“Prime Minister Iveta Radičová and Finance Minister Ivan Mikloš are trying to find any and every excuse they can to cover up the fraud they committed on their voters during the election campaign,” said Fico, as quoted by TASR. According to him, the current government is reneging on a pre-election promise to oppose the ESFS. Fico suggested their stance represents a threat to what he called the good reputation and standing of Slovakia in the EU.
If representatives of the new coalition don’t think that EFSF is a good step, they shouldn't sign it, Fico suggested. Fico’s government agreed the terms of the deal with other European governments in May this year.
“Unlike them, Smer [Fico’s party] claimed prior to the election – as it does now – that the guarantee mechanism is absolutely crucial for Slovak citizens,” said Fico.
Source: TASR
Compiled by Michaela Stanková from press reports
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