PAVOL Hrušovský, chairmain of the ruling Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) party, admitted the possibility of early elections.
The coalition crisis is the result of an impasse between the KDH and a coalition partner, the liberal New Citizen's Alliance (ANO).
The KDH blames the crisis on the ANO, whose party members left the parliament hall on May 25 during a vote of confidence for KDH Education Minister Martin Fronc. The ANO could neither bring itself to support the opposition party, Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS), which initiated the vote of confidence for the coalition minister, nor could it support Minister Fronc.
In the ensuing vote, Minister Fronc won the support of only 59 MPs out of 150 legislators. The vote itself has no legal consequences and does not bind the minister to leave his post, the daily SME wrote.
The political fallout, on the other hand, was evident immediately after the vote when KDH Chairman Pavol Hrušovský admitted the possibility early elections.
In order for early elections to take place, 90 MPs would have to support shortening the current election term. According to ANO Deputy Chairman Ľubomír Lintner, such a move is unrealistic.
A possible recall of Economy Minister Pavol Rusko, who is the ANO chairman, is being speculated on in the back halls of parliament. Allegedly, the KDH plans cooperate with the opposition to remove Rusko from the ministry.
Compiled by Martina Jurianová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
