Deputy Prime Minister for the Recovery Plan Peter Kmec submitted his resignation to the Presidential Palace. Kmec confirmed he is stepping down due to controversy surrounding grant calls for research, development and innovation, though he rejected responsibility for major errors. He said he is resigning to protect the reputation of his party Hlas-SD, Slovakia, and the industrial sector, following Prime Minister Robert Fico’s request that the president dismiss him. The resignation comes after disputed results in research and development funding schemes managed by Kmec’s office, prompting several opposition parties to file criminal complaints. Hlas-SD chairman Matúš Šutaj Eštok ordered an immediate suspension of the grant calls and a full audit of the process, saying no further steps should be taken until the situation is clarified.
Source: TASR
