FORMER Most-Híd MP László Nagy became the government plenipotentiary for national minorities on June 14 after his nomination was approved by the cabinet at its regular weekly session.
Nagy’s appointment as the new plenipotentiary is based on an agreement with Most-Híd, an opposition party in parliament. The area of minority rights previously was the responsibility of a deputy prime minister but the government of Prime Minister Robert Fico decided to abolish that post and establish a plenipotentiary instead.
The plenipotentiary for national minorities serves as an adviser to the government, according to the statute creating the post, the SITA newswire wrote, and the plenipotentiary will coordinate activities with the head of the Government Office and appropriate ministers. He will also have the authority to establish working groups or commissions.
The plenipotentiary is charged with maintaining, developing and promoting the rights of members of minority groups and to systematically improve the status of minorities living in Slovakia as well as ensuring that Slovakia’s national and international obligations regarding the rights of national minorities are observed.
