Slovak politicians from the Hlas-SD and Progressive Slovakia parties discussed the legal status of the Beneš decrees during a televised debate on TA3, affirming their continued validity within the country’s legal framework.
Ivan Korčok of Progressive Slovakia emphasized that his party has never challenged the validity of the decrees but criticized the Property Fund for using them to question the ownership of legally acquired property, which he said risks confiscation.
Šutaj Eštok accused Progressive Slovakia of raising the issue to gain one or two percentage points in elections, calling the matter a historical issue closed to discussion. Korčok countered that legal experts consider the decrees obsolete, making new claims based on them invalid.
On migration, Šutaj Eštok dismissed statements by Hungarian election winner Péter Magyar as absurd, although Korčok said he would engage Magyar directly on the remarks. Both too discussed the possibility of freezing ministers’ flat-rate allowances.
Korčok urged the interior minister to propose a freeze on such allowances at a coalition council meeting, conditioning its approval on blocking other proposals. Šutaj Eštok argued that Hlas-SD lacks the power to enact such a measure as it is not the leading party in government.
He noted that Hlas-SD ministers had instead created a social fund to redirect increases in their allowances to disadvantaged citizens, a move Korčok criticized as proof of political capitulation and personal inadequacy.
Regarding a potential referendum on shortening the government’s electoral term, Šutaj Eštok asserted that any decision by President Peter Pellegrini would comply with Slovakia’s constitution, referencing a Constitutional Court ruling on the matter.
He warned that a referendum with two questions—on restoring the National Criminal Agency and abolishing the prime minister’s allowance—would constitute an expensive public opinion poll, based on his assessment of constitutional lawyers’ views.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the politicians say about the Beneš decrees?
Matúš Šutaj Eštok stated that the Beneš decrees remain part of Slovakia’s legal order and are untouchable, while Ivan Korčok said his party has never questioned their validity but criticized the Property Fund for using them to challenge private property ownership.
What proposal was made regarding ministers’ allowances?
Ivan Korčok recommended that the interior minister propose freezing ministers’ flat-rate allowances at a coalition council meeting and tie its approval to blocking other proposals, while Šutaj Eštok said Hlas-SD lacks the power to enact such a measure.
How do the parties view a possible referendum on shortening the electoral term?
Šutaj Eštok believes any referendum decision by President Pellegrini would be constitutional, but warned that a two-question referendum on the National Criminal Agency and prime minister’s allowance would be costly, while Korčok said Progressive Slovakia would support early elections if such a referendum were held.
What impact might these political debates have on public trust in institutions?
