Heger and Fiala with Václav Moravec / When the Slovak Prime Minister considers the question of Matovič’s dismissal impolite – postoj.sk

When the Slovak Prime Minister considers the question of the dismissal of Matovič impolite, Slovak Public Television prepared a debate between former Prime Ministers Klaus and Mečiar to recall the key conversations about the dissolution of the federation in the Tugendhat villa in Brno. This program didn’t turn out very well, but we’ve already had our say on that. The basic message that both former prime ministers wanted to leave in that debate was the fact that the breakup of Czechoslovakia was peaceful and friendly, and thanks to that Czech-Slovak relations are extremely good today. In other words, in politics the result counts, not the artistic impression. The second debate, which was prepared by Czech Television and in which the current prime ministers debated, seemed to confirm this link. We have excellent relations, even now that war is near. Petr Fiala and Eduard Heger debated in the center of the international film festival, i.e. in Karlovy Vary. The form of the interview was more dignified than the one in Brno. Moravec prepared questions that a Slovak viewer would not even expect. Share Moderator Václav Moravec held the debate firmly in his hands and was a natural authority. And he prepared questions that a Slovak viewer would not even expect. They also surprised Prime Minister Heger, who apparently expected a completely different type of debate. At first it was so predictable, the main topic was the summit in Madrid and the entry of Finland and Sweden into NATO. Fiala spoke about the historic moment, about the change in the world order and about NATO’s determination to defend every centimeter of the territory of NATO member countries. Heger claimed that “Europe is entering a new era of world leadership”. Fiala was more matter-of-fact, Heger more pathetic, but both formed a nice harmony. Petr Fiala then solemnly announced that from September 1, the Czech Republic will temporarily help Slovakia protect its airspace until it has its own fighter jets, which could be sometime in 2024. “It’s great news and I’m grateful,” Heger said, adding , that the warmth of relations between the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic is growing and that both countries are close, but “Peter and I are also close personally”. However, moderator Václav Moravec did not stop at such a polite and slightly sentimental conversation about how Slovaks and Czechs cooperate, help each other and stand together for Ukraine. The moderator asked whether the pursuit of Ukrainian sovereignty is no longer just a dream. Share He had much tougher questions prepared for both prime ministers. He asked Heger whether he was planning to dismiss the Minister of Defense Naď when his ties to the Swedish company BAE, from which Slovakia now buys tracked conveyors, were proven. “I guarantee you that Minister Naď is very transparent and objective and works in the public interest,” Heger defended his minister. Moravec asked whether the two countries would still supply heavy weapons to Ukraine, whether after the initial awakening the tiredness was no longer coming. And he also asked whether the pursuit of Ukrainian sovereignty is no longer just a dream. In Slovakia, for such a skeptical question about Ukraine’s victory, he would probably be classified somewhere among the conspirators. Prime Minister Heger passionately spoke about the fact that Ukraine will win and that “we will not give up”. And “when Ukraine loses, we lose too”. Fiala said that the European Union is now more united and NATO more capable of action. It is determined to defend the free world and is already talking about China as a threat. Both resisted defeatist talk. Moravec then moved on to questions related to the Czech and Slovak domestic political scene. And Eduard Heger was more and more surprised. Unfortunately, personal communication is sharpened, emotions are also whipped up, so they need to be cooled down during the summer. Share Moravec also asked him whether he will reconstruct the government, since Igor Matovič is causing tension in it and at the same time presides over the prime minister. “We can’t afford anything like that, stability is key, it’s important that emotions subside.” Heger passionately said that the government has good results, unfortunately, personal communication is strained, emotions are also whipped up, so they need to cool down over the summer and from September continue to work normally. Moravec asked again whether Heger was considering the reconstruction of the government, and also whether he would be relieved if he dismissed Igor Matovič from the government. Eduard Heger couldn’t take it anymore and told Moravec that he considered him a complete professional in the field of political discussions, but “such a question does not belong in your mouth”. And he added that asking a member of the presidency whether he will dismiss his president is “at the very least very impolite and certainly politically illogical.” Moravec then: “Even if it destabilizes the coalition?” Eduard Heger became nervous: “How does it destabilize the coalition? Look at the results we have. Where is the destabilized coalition? If it’s on an emotional level, let’s rest over the summer.” Petr Fiala needed to help his colleague Heger, so he stated that Slovakia is very stable and consolidated, thanks to the way Eduard Heger is speaking at international forums. “I can only judge it from an international political point of view, where I see strong leadership.” The coalition’s dirt needs to be washed at home. Share Moravec also “grilled” Petar Fiala with domestic topics, but he is used to this type of tough, but decently conducted discussion and is well equipped as a person. What have we learned from this debate? That Eduard Heger feels good especially outside the borders of Slovakia, he has a good reputation there, and acts as a strong leader there. We finally knew that. But we cannot read from his performance in Karlovy Vary whether he really does not see any destabilization in the coalition, or whether he just does not want to wash our dirty laundry abroad. If it were the second case, then it can be understood. Coalition dirt needs to be washed at home. In front of the Czechs, we can play a little bit like we can handle it, but we Slovaks are a bit more emotional. However, if the Prime Minister was really honest in Karlovy Vary and really does not see any destabilization, that is, he only sees the whiplash of emotions that will cool down in the summer, and everything will work normally from September, then the development of the situation may still surprise him.