The need for state of emergency questioned

Opposition as well coalition parties are contesting the state of emergency, which is still active in Slovakia, despite positive coronavirus results. PM Igor Matovič claims that the state of emergency is needed to provide crisis-related aid and supplies to hospitals. Smer-SD vice-chair Peter Pellegrini stated on Wednesday that if Matovič did not change his opinion on cancelling the imposed state of emergency, he would approach President Zuzana Čaputová with this matter. According to the ex-premier, there are no legal reasons for continuing the state, which unnecessarily restricts the rights of the public. More than 80,000 healthcare professionals in Slovakia thus cannot resign or strike, they must also work in departments other than the ones for which they were admitted, and they can take holidays only in a limited regime. Three of the four coalition parties also declared that they would not support the prolonging of the state of emergency. The state of emergency in Slovakia was originally declared for hospitals on March 16, with the Government expanding it later to cover other areas. The law states that its duration cannot exceed 90 days. The Constitution does not specify whether it can be prolonged or re-declared.