VLADIMÍR Mečiar, the head of the ruling Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS) party, was released from hospital on January 28 a week after undergoing multiple bypass surgery.
According to heart surgeon Michal Hulman, who led the medical team that performed the operation, Mečiar's current health is delicate but consistent with the gravity of the operation. He indirectly advised Mečiar to take a spa cure or otherwise give himself a break before returning to top politics.
During Mečiar's absence, the HZDS is being run by deputy chairman Milan Urbáni and party secretary Zdenka Kramplová. Urbáni said he expected Mečiar to relay further instructions to the party today.
"Chairman Mečiar will advise us by telephone on the most important political issues," Urbáni said as reported by the Pravda daily.
