Bratislava, 16 July 1997 (RFE/RL) -- Slovakia's Constitutional Court says it expects to decide this month whether to reinstate a former parliamentary ally of Premier Vladimir Meciar this month.
Frantisek Gaulieder, who had belonged to Meciar's HZDS party, was thrown out of parliament last year after he broke ranks with the ruling HZDS coalition party.
Court spokesman Marianna Mochnacova in Kosice, told our correspondent the court expects to decide the case this month, but she did not specify a date.
Gaulieder, arguing that he never resigned from his seat, filed a complaint with the European Human Rights Committee in Strasbourg last month. The Slovak parliament revoked Gaulieder's parliamentary membership in December following receipt of a resignation letter allegedly signed by him. Gaulieder contends the letter was a forgery.
HZDS parliamentary candidates reportedly signed loyalty oaths before the 1994 elections agreeing to resign if they broke party ranks. Opposition parliamentary members including those from the Christian Democratic KDH party voted against the forced resignation of Gaulieder at last year's parliamentary session.
Gaulieder has become increasingly vocal in recent weeks, publicly complaining that Slovakia's Court is dragging its feet in deciding the case.