Slovakian prime minister leaves his own party ahead of snap elections

BRATISLAVA: Acting Slovakian Prime Minister Eduard Heger announced on Monday evening that he was leaving his own party, OLaNO, months ahead of snap parliamentary elections scheduled for September.

“My story in OLaNO ends today,” Heger said in a Facebook post, adding that his role and mission in the party is fulfilled.

“I have my own vision of politics. I know if I want to fulfill it, I have to go my own way,” he added.

“Life just brings situations where we have to make a decision. i do it today

Heger did not say if he intended to join another movement or start a new one.

However, local media said he could join forces with other members of the incumbent government, which lost a no-confidence vote in December and is holding the country pending new elections.

“Together with Eduard Heger we are looking for such a solution so that voters have a choice,” Slovakian Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad said in January.

The centre-right ruling coalition won the 2020 general election in the country of 5.4 million on an anti-corruption programme.

Heger replaced OLaNO boss Igor Matovic as prime minister in April 2021 after a dispute within the ruling four-party alliance.

After December’s no-confidence motion and the ensuing political crisis, the Prime Minister’s ratings fell.

Just 19 percent of voters gave their confidence to Heger last month, down from 28 percent a year ago.

Snap parliamentary elections in Slovakia, a member of the European Union and NATO, are scheduled to take place on September 30. – AFP