Although Slovak PM Robert Fico's attitude toward the media is not a key factor when it comes to the Party of European Socialists’ (PES) decision on whether his Smer-Social Democracy party should remain suspended, it still may have some influence eventually.
This is the message brought by PES spokesman Julian Scola, speaking to SLOVAKIA on September 6 about the upcoming session of European Socialists (set for October 4), in which PES will decide whether Smer's current suspension from the EU socialist faction will be extended.
According to Scola, PES is observing the situation in Slovakia, mainly focusing on whether Smer-SD respects the values recognised by European Socialists.
The European Socialists faction, which is in the opposition in Brussels in this Parliament, raised alarm bells over Smer-Social Democracy inviting the Slovak National Party (SNS) and the infamous HZDS-LS led by former premier Vladimír Mečiar into the coalition. Shortly after the Government was formed, PES suspended Smer's membership and has postponed a decision about further action until next month. Deferring the decision was attributed to technical, not politically-motivated reasons. TASR
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
