Ján Figeľ was re-elected chair of the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) after he received 261 of 324 votes from delegates attending the party congress in Ružomberok on June 23. The delegates also elected six deputy chairs but rejected changes in the party’s internal structure as proposed by MP Radoslav Procházka in response to his recent criticism of the party, the TASR newswire reported.
“I will be a resolute but responsible chairman,” stated Figeľ, as quoted by TASR after the vote, adding that he will “adhere to my principles but at the same time be kind within relationships”.
Pavol Hrušovský, an MP and a former chair of KDH, said that Figeľ’s re-election was the right decision for the future of Slovakia’s politics as well as a sign of the party’s internal unity.
“The party has the confidence of Ján Figeľ and Ján Figeľ has the confidence of the party,” he said, as quoted by TASR.
The delegates elected MPs Pavol Abrhan, Ján Hudacký and Július Brocka, university teacher Miroslava Szitová, former director of the Slovak Tourist Board (SACR) Peter Belinský and economic analyst Miloš Moravčík as deputy chairs of the party, TASR wrote.
Delegates did not approve changes to the regulations of KDH that were proposed by MP Radoslav Procházka. He suggested reducing the number of deputy chairs from six to four and to allow chairs of the regional branches of KDH to automatically become members of the party’s leadership, the Sme daily reported.
“My effort for systematic change to the operation of KDH was eventually not successful,” stated Procházka, as quoted by Sme. “I will continue in my effort for the internal revival of the movement, probably with the ambition of gradual preparation of alternatives to the current leadership.”
Procházka did not specify any other details of his plan, Sme wrote.
Both Hrušovský and Figeľ said that the changes did not pass since they had not been preceded by extensive debate at the regional level.
“I will set up a committee that will be in charge of drafting party regulations that will ensure that all proposals are discussed across the regions,” said Figeľ, as quoted by TASR.
Source: TASR, Sme
Compiled by Radka Minarechová from press reports
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