In a surprise move, Robert Fico (Smer-SD) stood down as Prime Minister on Thursday afternoon, handing over the top position to Deputy Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini (Smer-SD). In a room full of media correspondents and with thousands watching live, Fico handed in his resignation to President Andrej Kiska.
But who exactly is the prime minister-designate?
Born on in Banská Bystrica on October 6, 1975, Peter Pellegrini studied banking, finance and investment, before taking up the role of an economist and advisor to former MP Ľubomír Vážny of the Smer-SD party.
Pellegrini found himself elected into government in parliamentary elections in 2006, 2010, and 2012, taking on various portfolios during his time, from State Secretary for Finance to Minister for Education, Science, Research and Sport, as well as being elected as Speaker of Parliament on November 25, 2014. He was succeeded in this position by Slovak National Party head Andrej Danko in March 23, 2016. Since this time, Pellegrini has held the title as Deputy Prime Minister for Investments.
The European Union appointed Slovakia's prime minister-to-be with the title "Digital Champion of Slovakia," a position to promote the benefits of an inclusive digital society and encourage Slovakia to become more digital in day to day life.
Kiska tasked incoming Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini with setting up a new government, however this is likely to be problematic, given the current public outcry currently culminating in nationwide protests calling for early elections. A cabinet reshuffle is in order, however all current ministers will remain in their positions until a new cabinet is formed.
Fico decided to step down from his post after a two-week coalition crisis that emerged following the murders of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancé Martina Kušnírová. Kuciak's final article, posthumously published, alleged links between high-level Slovak politicians and Italian mafia, including the alleged illegal drawing of EU funds and corruption at the top of government.
Junior coalition partner Most-Híd modified its critical stance towards the current government, following the resignation of Fico, announcing their support on Thursday towards the new government with Peter Pellegrini at the helm. Party head Béla Bugár announced at a press conference that his party "knows what it's doing" and that this move will help to calm the current nationwide high tensions. He went on to say that it's also a reconciliatory move towards the demands of protest organisers.
Despite the appointment of a new prime minister and the uneasy support of the two other governing coalition parties, the political situation remains uncertain in Slovakia with Bratislava, Košice, Banská Bystrica and dozens of other Slovak cities expected to see mass protests on Friday evening. The group behind the protests, For a Decent Slovakia, demands a thorough and independent investigation into the murders of journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancé Martina Kušnírová, as well as early parliamentary elections. Event organisers deem the resignation of Prime Minister Robert Fico and Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák as being too little too late. They believe a complete change of government is the only answer.
In line with the Slovak Constitution, Prime Minister-to-be Peter Pellegrini has no time limit in setting up his new government. However, on Thursday he pledged that it's in his interest "to make changes in the Government over the course of several days and not weeks or months". Outgoing Justice Minister Lucia Žitňanská (Most-Híd) stated earlier on Thursday that the new Cabinet should be known as early as next week. After being appointed by the president, the new government will have 30 days to seek confidence in Parliament with its programme, however at least 76 MPs must vote in favour of the new cabinet.
