Transport Minister Ľubomír Vážny (Smer) will remain in his position after an opposition move to oust him failed on Wednesday, January 20. After five hours of debate, 50 MPs voted for him to recalled – i.e. dismissed – with 67 voting against, two abstaining and one deputy not voting.
The opposition parties had accused Vážny of having mismanaged the preparation and launch of the electronic road-toll system which began operating in Slovakia on January 1. The new tolls and the problematic introduction of the system have led to protests by hauliers, leading them to block roads in Bratislava earlier this month. Thirty-four MPs signed the proposal to recall Vážny which was filed after Prime Minister Robert Fico promised to fulfil most of the hauliers’ demands.
During the parliamentary debate, Vážny defended the preparation and operation of the e-toll system and said the opposition had no moral right to propose his recall. He opined that the discussion in parliament was full of emotion and demagogy, the SITA newswire reported. The Transport Minister was supported by his own Smer party, as well as MPs from the other ruling coalition parties, and by other ministers. Fico did not appear. It was the first opposition proposal to recall Vážny. SITA
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
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