The fall of the government of Slovakia – “the best gift for Christmas”

Of the 150-member parliament, 78 voted to oust Hager – who leads the conservative Public People’s Party which is part of a three-party minority government.

The motion of no-confidence put forward by the Liberal Party came three months after the government lost its majority in Parliament, when the Freedom and Solidarity Party withdrew from the coalition. The latter’s party leader, Richard Solek, says he no longer trusts Heger’s government, and is particularly critical of Finance Minister Igor Matović.

Igor Matović, formerly prime minister, offered to resign to get the opposition to withdraw the vote of no confidence, but the offer was rejected by the Liberal Party.

Social Democratic Party leader Peter Pellegrini praised the result of the vote.

– Pellegrini says it’s the best possible birthday gift for the Slovak people.

The fall of the government means either that President Zuzana Caputova appoints a new Prime Minister or that the country heads towards new elections. Opinion polls indicate that the opposition has a good chance of winning new elections.

Edvard Heger took office as prime minister in April 2021. His government took power after winning elections in 2020, promising to crack down on corruption in the country.