Deputy Culture Minister Zuzana Kumanova (For People) ended her tenure as of Thursday. The culture Minister recalled her from this position following the request of the Vice-Premier and the For People party chair Veronika Remisova. According to her, this decision is solely the internal affair of the junior coalition member. Its fraction that is supporting Justice Minister Maria Kolikova (For People) has voiced its discomfort with this decision, however. Kolikova's supporters view this dismissal to be a punishment for Kumanova's critical approach to recalling the party's regional chairpeople and her support for the extraordinary party session initiated by the Justice Minister.
"She had a different opinion. I think this is the result of her stance," said Justice Minister Maria Kolikova. Now former Deputy Culture Minister Kumanova denies having been recalled due to her opinions. "It was a political move. This way, the chairperson of the party will have people who are close to her in important positions. I am sorry for that. I take it as a political decision," said Kumanova for public RTVS. She will be replaced by former party MP Viera Lescakova. Vice Premier and party chairwoman Remisova justifies her decision with the need to enhance the educational dimension of culture.
The decision is being criticized by Roma NGOs. More than 40 Roma activists signed an open letter in which they called on the Prime Minister to re-evaluate the recall of Kumanova from the position. "She is not only an expert who was granted one of the highest State orders by President Kiska for her achievement but she was the top ranked Roma public official. She did not fail in her work and was recalled with no reason, which triggered uncertainty in Roma community," said Michal Olah, a university teacher and journalist.
Top state representatives agree on the fact that it was a political decision fully in the competence of the junior coalition partner.
Source: RTVS
