Slovakia’s President Zuzana Caputova has sworn in a government of technocrats to lead the country to early elections in September amid a political crisis
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — Slovakia’s President Zuzana Caputova on Monday swore in a government of technocrats to lead the country to early elections in September amid a political crisis.
Ludovit Odor, the former deputy governor of the central bank and a respected economist, will head the 15-member cabinet. Career diplomat Miroslav Wlachovsky becomes foreign minister, with Martin Sklenar, a former senior defense ministry official, as defense minister.
Odor, who is from Slovakia’s Hungarian minority, is not affiliated with any political party. No member of his government will stand in the next election.
“We’re not going to perform miracles, but you can expect us to ensure the smooth running of the state,” Odor said.
Slovakia has been without a proper government since December 15, when the coalition government led by Prime Minister Eduard Heger lost a vote of no confidence in the parliament called by the opposition, after months of political crisis.
Caputova initially asked Heger to lead an interim government until they could have early elections. However, after four members of the provisional administration gradually left their posts, Heger offered his resignation and Caputova opted for a government of technocrats.
Odor’s government must face a vote of confidence in Parliament within 30 days.
Caputova said that in its limited time, the new government should focus on stabilizing the country’s current situation, preparing next year’s budget and leading Slovakia to early elections scheduled for September 30.
Heger’s government was a staunch supporter of Ukraine in its fight against Russian military aggression and gave the Ukrainian armed forces the weapons they requested, including 13 Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets and the S-300 air defense system.
Some current opposition leaders, including former populist Prime Minister Robert Fico, oppose military support for Ukraine and European Union sanctions against Russia.
Fico and his left-wing party Smer-Socialdemocracia are the favorites to win the next election, according to recent polls.
