Statement condemning the actions against Slovak MP Lucia Plaváková by representatives of the Slovenská národná strana in the National Council […]
Statement condemning the actions against Slovak MP Lucia Plaváková by representatives of the Slovenská národná strana in the National Council of the Slovak Republic.
The Rainbow Platform and the European Liberal Forum (ELF) firmly reject the declarations and actions of Andrej Danko from the Slovenská národná strana (SNS), Deputy Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, in reaction to the “Zone of Inclusion” sticker displayed on the laptop of Progressive Slovakia’s MP Lucia Plaváková. Andrej Danko in his role as Deputy Speaker expelled MP Plaváková from a parliamentary hearing on September 25th, 2024. Moreover, we condemn the remarks of MP Rudolf Huliak (SNS) at a press conference following the expulsion, where he verbally attacked Plaváková.
The recent escalation of political violence all over Europe is due to the rising intolerance in political discourse. From the liberal family, we firmly reject any type of violence or derogatory commentary to advance any political argument. The display of any sticker with a political message is in itself protected and should not be punished. The attack on any political display is equal to the silencing of any political opinion and this is not compatible with the values upon which the Slovak democracy nor the European Union work.
“Our diversity stickers are about representation for those who are often voiceless in society and a form of expression of ideas that should be protected in all levels of society. Ejecting a politician, especially a woman, from Parliament for expressing themselves seems another example of the dangerous urge to stifle free speech and the different treatment that women politicians are subject to all over Europe” – stated Alva Finn, Executive Director of the European Liberal Forum.
MP Plaváková has been an active participant in the European Liberal Forum’s Network for Diversity, a programme founded on elevating diverse voices by creating role models who can inspire political engagement and liberal change. For that, the Rainbow Platform and ELF created awareness materials, such as the sticker displayed in the MP’s computer, which sparked the aggressive reaction of the SNS representatives.
We are proud to have MP Plaváková as one of those role models who continue spreading the message that Europe is a “Zone of Inclusion. The Rainbow Platform, along with the ALDE Party, has recognized Progressive Slovakia in the past with its Diversity Award for their efforts in encouraging tolerance and diversity in politics in Slovakia. With partners like the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom – European Dialogue, the Rainbow Platform ran programs in Slovakia. We are proud to say that our experience in the Slovak nation has been one of a welcoming and open society. We are sure that the actions and declarations of the SNS representative at the National Council do not reflect the sentiment of the Slovak society.