The presidency of the Party of European Socialists (PES) postponed its decision on whether to prolong or cancel Smer's suspension from the party, PES general secretary Philip Cordery said on Wednesday, adding that it is a "technical" and not a politically-motivated decision.
The Slovakia’s ruling Smer party acknowledged PES’ recent announcement.
"According to Prime Minister Robert Fico, there has never been a good reason to punish Smer because its coalition partners," Fico's spokesperson Silvia Glendová said on May 9.
PES presidency suspended Smer's membership in the party in October 2006 for ten months because it formed a coalition with the controversial far-right Slovak National Party. PES leader Poul Nyrup Rasmussen pointed out that the European Socialists, currently in opposition in Brussels, did it in accordance with the Berlin Declaration approved in 2001.
PES' presidency announced in October 2006 it will review its decision concerning Smer in June based on developments on the Slovak political scene. However, Cordery on Wednesday said PES needs more time to come to a final conclusion.
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
