Slovak government loses majority as ministers quit
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Loading... - Elena Ahmed
- 26 Sep 2022
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Ministers from the Slovak centre-right Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party resigned on Monday, leaving the coalition government short of a majority in the midst of an energy crisis and conflict in neighbouring Ukraine.
The resignations cast doubt over the long term survival of the NATO and European Union member country's centre-right cabinet, which is trying to tackle soaring energy prices and has strongly backed Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion.
The government crisis has simmered since SaS demanded in July that Finance Minister Igor Matovic, from the ruling OLANO party, step down after he leaned on lawmakers from a far-right opposition party to push through a bill aimed at helping people hit by inflation, especially in energy.
OLANO has refused the SaS demands and SaS leader Richard Sulik said that made its continued government role untenable.
"We have to say that this is no longer possible," Sulik told a televised briefing in announcing the resignations.
"We will be a constructive but tough opposition," he said, adding the party would back government proposals in parliament selectively.
SaS had four ministers, including Sulik as economy minister.
Prime Minister Eduard Heger said the government would serve as a minority administration. He said he would inform the president of changes in the cabinet before announcing them next week, according to TASR news agency. Read More...
