Slovakia: Caretaker government resigns amid lingering political crisis

“I asked the president to revoke my mandate

Slovakia: Caretaker government resigns amid lingering political crisis

“I asked the president to revoke my mandate. It is with these words that the Slovak Prime Minister, Eduard Heger, declared on Sunday May 7 that he had brought the resignation of his interim government to President Zuzana Caputova, during a press conference. He assured that all his future decisions will be coordinated with the Head of State, whom he must meet on Sunday afternoon.

The decision of the man who has led the interim government since last December follows a persistent political crisis in the country of 5.4 million inhabitants, a member of the European Union and NATO.

Weakened by his own government

Slovak MPs overthrew the four-party coalition government of Mr. Heger on December 15, after the adoption of a motion of censure. Since then, the latter and his team have been responsible for managing the country until the new elections to be held on September 30.

On Sunday, Eduard Heger did not specify the reasons for his decision. But the political crisis has deepened this week in Slovakia, the prime minister being weakened by his own government.

On Thursday, Agriculture Minister Samuel Vlcan announced his resignation after a case concerning a 1.4 million euro subsidy granted to his company was revealed in the press. The next day, Foreign Minister Rastislav Kacer also announced his desire to leave the government.