New Government wins vote of confidence amidst protests

The new Government of Peter Pellegrini (Smer-SD) has won confidence in Parliament late on Monday evening. Pellegrini's Cabinet was backed by all of the present MPs of Smer-SD, Most-Híd and the Slovak National Party (SNS), plus three Independent MPs. The new Cabinet approved its Manifesto last week. It is almost identical to the document that was adopted by the former government of Robert Fico (Smer-SD) two years ago. Fico resigned two weeks ago following massive street protests in Bratislava and other localities. Protesters were angered by the murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée and his reports on political corruption reaching as far as the Cabinet. As part of the personnel reshuffling, Pellegrini's Government has a few new names. Richard Raši (Smer-SD) becomes the new vice-premier for investments and informatisation, Tomáš Drucker (a Smer-SD nominee) the interior minister, Andrea Kalavská (a Smer-SD nominee) the health minister, Ľubica Laššáková (Smer-SD) the culture minister and Gábor Gál (Most-Hid) the justice minister. Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of Parliament on Monday asking for early elections as they do not trust the current Cabinet.