The non-parliamentary Movement for Democracy party (HZD), at its national congress on February 20, announced its withdrawal from the June 12 general election to help the Smer party win another four-year term, recommending that its supporters back Smer, the TASR newswire reported.
HZD chairman Jozef Grapa said that his party wishes to help create stability for Slovakia and to build a social welfare state.
The congress also offered to cooperate with Smer to put together its list of candidates which HZD hopes will include some of its members. Smer was represented at the congress by the chairman of the party and Prime Minister Robert Fico.
"The election that will decide whether Slovakia will continue to be a social welfare state or not is drawing near. That’s why we have decided on this move, which may be of assistance to Smer,” Grapa told TASR.
He also said the HZD presidium was told to make arrangements to amalgamate HZD into Smer. President Ivan Gašparovič, honorary chairman and founder of HZD, was also present and gave assurances that each HZD member would be a great boon for Fico’s party and for those choosing to enter Smer the party switch will allow them to continue to pursue their social agenda.
PM Fico told the congress that Smer will welcome all HZD members who choose to enter. “We will greet any helpful hand which wants to bolster the social and national pillar,” he said. TASR
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
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