Legislator Milan Urbáni is no longer a member of the governing coalition Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS), as members of the party's Republican Council at a session in Bratislava on December 5 decided unanimously to strip him of his party membership, the TASR newswire was told that day.
“The Republican Board approved proposals by the political board of HZDS and voted unanimously to expel MP Milan Urbáni from HZDS, with the main reason being his involvement in favour of another political party. I'm talking here about the European Democratic Party,” said HZDS vice-chairman Jozef Habaník, stating that such dual-party affiliation is unacceptable for HZDS.
Urbáni remains a member of HZDS's parliamentary caucus for now but any further moves will be up to him. “He's allowed to remain a caucus member but it's up to him as to what he’ll do,” said Habaník.
According to Habaník, however, in light of ethical and moral principles it would be appropriate for Urbáni to consider returning his parliamentary mandate to the party. The party plans to replace Urbáni as head of the parliamentary committee for European affairs, with party MP Ján Kovarčík most likely to take over the post.
Urbáni was given a political ultimatum - leave the party voluntarily or face a proposal for his exclusion - on December 5, said HZDS chairman Vladimír Mečiar at a press conference on November 20. Mečiar is convinced that Urbáni is sitting on the fence because he is engaged in building up the structures of the European Democratic Party (EDS).
“If anybody is interested in not having me in the party, I say I won't give up. Let them kick me out,” countered Urbáni at the beginning of December. TASR
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
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