Slovakia is the last country to approve the July bailout for Greece (yes we're still on that one), the vote is due today.
Despite strong public Slovakian opinion against their contribution to the woefully inadequate bailout fund (even the above Slovakian beer commercial mocks the Greeks), we wearily see their politicians adapt the usual tactics to get the vote passed:
"I announced to my coalition partners that I will tie today's vote on our future in Europe with a confidence vote," Radicova said in a decision that follows deadlocked talks in her four-party coalition on expanding the fund.It's the classic; "it's vote of no confidence in the Government, we'll be isolated, we'll vote again if it's the wrong answer" kind of bullying when it comes to EU matters
"It's unacceptable for a prime minister to allow the isolation of Slovakia," she told reporters after the liberal coalition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party insisted it would vote against the crucial euro area deal.
"I'm sorry our coalition partner did not accept an offer of a possible compromise," Radicova said, adding she hoped the changes to strengthen the European Financial Stability Facility could be salvaged with opposition support in a repeat vote.
"It's my great wish to have a successful vote today but if it's not successful, we'll have to hold a repeat vote," said Radicova.
I think the core of the matter is that the politicians are not sufficiently frightened of the electorate. If they were, then they'd abide by the electorate's wishes, first time they are asked and not have the gall to keep asking the same question until the politicians get the answer they want.
ReplyDelete@JiC I do agree with your comment, though I think the pendulum is swinging the other way (albeit slowly). They cannot carry on defying the will of the people for ever.
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