Cabinet of Eduard Heger

Last updated
Cabinet of Eduard Heger
Coat of arms of Slovakia.svg
12th Cabinet of Slovakia
Eduard Heger opening a school 02.jpg
Date formed1 April 2021
Date dissolved15 May 2023
People and organisations
President of Slovakia Zuzana Čaputová
Prime Minister Eduard Heger
Deputy Prime Ministers
No. of ministers16
Total no. of members21
Member parties
Status in legislature
Opposition parties
Opposition leader Robert Fico
History
Election 2020 Slovak parliamentary election
Predecessor Matovič's Cabinet
Successor Ódor's Cabinet

The Cabinet of Eduard Heger was the 12th government of Slovakia, led by Prime Minister Eduard Heger.

Contents

It was originally a four-party majority coalition government composed of Ordinary People and Independent Personalities (OĽaNO), We Are Family, Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), and For the People. Following a coalition crisis in summer of 2022, SaS left the government, which resulted in a minority government.

The Cabinet was appointed by the President of Slovakia Zuzana Čaputová on 1 April 2021 and was approved by the National Council on 4 May 2021. [1] [2] It was formed after the previous Prime Minister Igor Matovič and his government had resigned, ending a month-long coalition crisis which started because of a controversial Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine purchase by Matovič. It was essentially a reshuffle during which Matovič changed positions with his party subordinate Heger, who was previously the Minister of Finance. Significant changes included the appointment of Vladimír Lengvarský as Minister of Health and President Čaputová rejecting the initial We Are Family nominee for Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Family Jozef Hlinka, which resulted in the reappointment of Milan Krajniak. [3]

The Cabinet lost a no-confidence vote on 15 December 2022 and ruled until it was succeeded by a caretaker government composed of non-party experts led by Ľudovít Ódor on 15 May 2023. [4] [5]

Composition

PortfolioMinisterTook officeLeft officeParty
Government's Office
Prime Minister 1 April 202115 May 2023  Ordinary People and Independent Personalities
Ministry of Finance
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance1 April 202123 December 2022  Ordinary People and Independent Personalities
23 December 202215 May 2023  Ordinary People and Independent Personalities
Deputy Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister for Legislation and Strategic Planning1 April 202115 May 2023  We Are Family
Ministry of Economy
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy1 April 202113 September 2022  Freedom and Solidarity
13 September 202215 May 2023  Ordinary People and Independent Personalities
Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization1 April 202115 May 2023  For the People
Ministry of Transport and Construction
Minister of Transport and Construction1 April 202115 May 2023  We Are Family
Ministry of Culture
Minister of Culture1 April 202115 May 2023  Ordinary People and Independent Personalities
Ministry of Defence
Minister of Defence1 April 202115 May 2023  Ordinary People and Independent Personalities
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development1 April 20218 June 2021  Ordinary People and Independent Personalities
8 June 202115 May 2023  Ordinary People and Independent Personalities
Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family
Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Family1 April 20219 April 2021  We Are Family
9 April 202115 May 2023  We Are Family
Ministry of Health
Minister of Health1 April 20213 March 2023  Ordinary People and Independent Personalities
3 March 202315 May 2023  Ordinary People and Independent Personalities
Ministry of Justice
Minister of Justice1 April 202113 September 2022  Freedom and Solidarity
13 September 202215 May 2023  Ordinary People and Independent Personalities
Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport
Minister of Education, Science, Research and Sport1 April 202113 September 2022  Freedom and Solidarity
13 September 20224 October 2022  Ordinary People and Independent Personalities
4 October 202215 May 2023  Ordinary People and Independent Personalities
Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs
Minister of Foreign and European Affairs1 April 202113 September 2022  Freedom and Solidarity
13 September 202215 May 2023  Ordinary People and Independent Personalities
Ministry of Environment
Minister of Environment1 April 202115 May 2023  Ordinary People and Independent Personalities
Ministry of Interior
Minister of Interior1 April 202115 May 2023  Ordinary People and Independent Personalities

Coalition crisis

The "pro-family package" bill and SaS ultimatum

Following the breaking of her veto, President Zuzana Čaputová asked the Supreme Court to examine the bill's compliance with the law and to render it ineffective, stating the reasons she had previously articulated. The Supreme Court later confirmed that parts of the bill were, in fact, unlawful, and that the use of the shortened legislative process was not warranted. [6]

The main reason for leaving the coalition and the ultimatum that was cited by SaS were the actions of Igor Matovič as Minister of Finance. They cited Matovič's breaking of the President's veto of the "pro-family package" with the help of MPs from the far-right, Neo-Nazi ĽSNS party (it was unacceptable for SaS that the government be aided by these far-right MPs when passing laws). SaS stated that since Heger failed to intervene and solve these issues, they decided to take this step. [7]

OĽaNO support to Matovič

OĽaNO MP and chair of the parliamentary defense Juraj Krúpa announced his departure from the party and joined the SaS parliamentary caucus. He also became the team leader for defense within SaS. Krúpa was the only OĽaNO MP who did not vote for the "pro-family package" bill. [8] On 11 August, OĽaNO announced that the party leadership along with their parliamentary caucus decided that Matovič would remain Minister of Finance even after the ultimatum by SaS ended. [9]

Three official meetings of the former coalition leaders from all four parties took place in the government's Hotel Bôrik. SaS consistently refused to retract its ultimatum, but Richard Sulík clarified that if OĽaNO suggested he step down as a price for Matovič's resignation, he would be willing to do so. [10] On 31 August, the last day of the ultimatum, OĽaNO announced that Matovič could resign if SaS agrees to ten proposals by OĽaNO. These included various policies which SaS disagreed with long-term such as tax raises, support for some form of the "pro-family package", and a point that said that SaS ministers or MPs would not be able to propose new laws requiring public spending without proposing the resources which should be used to cover these new expenses. [11]

However, the ten-point proposal by OĽaNO was rejected by SaS and Sulík announced that he had already made the President aware of his resignation as Minister of Economy earlier that day. SaS further stated that Matovič had until 5 September to resign or else the resignation of the remaining three ministers for SaS would follow. [12]

In September, the parliamentary caucus of We Are Family was joined by three independent MPs, among them a former ĽSNS MP Jozef Šimko. [13]

Ministers resignation

Since OĽaNO decided that Igor Matovič would remain, Korčok, Kolíková, and Gröhling announced their resignation on 5 September and President Zuzana Čaputová accepted their resignation on 13 September. She appointed cross-party nominees Rastislav Káčer as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Viliam Karas as Minister of Justice, and Karel Hirman as Minister of Economy. PM Heger was appointed Interim Minister of Education until the appointment of Ján Horecký on 4 October. [14]

Minority government

No-confidence vote in Matovič

After the government lost its majority, SaS, now an opposition party, initiated a motion of no-confidence in Matovič. He spoke in his own defence and attacked the media in his speech. In response, an open letter condemning these attacks was issued by the representatives of the most prominent Slovak media outlets. Several international press organizations also condemned the attacks. [15]

Following the vote, SaS pointed out that Matovič was not removed only because of the three opposition MPs (who ran for ĽSNS) did not vote in favor of the motion, even though previously these MPs consistently voted in favor of no-confidence motions concerning ministers of Heger and Matovič's cabinets. [16] [17]

No-confidence vote in government

After Martin Klus left the SaS parliamentary caucus, [18] OĽANO parliamentary caucus chairman Michal Šipoš postponed an gremium meeting between the party members. Matovič went to the Presidential Palace, signed his resignation and handed it to the President's Chief of Staff who then passed it onto his assistant in order to make a copy. When the assistant returned the original and the copy of the resignation to the Chief of Staff, Matovič took both documents from his hands, said he changed his mind, and left. [19]

Cabinet with restricted powers

Following the vote of no-confidence, President Čaputová formally dismissed the Cabinet of Eduard Heger, and appointed it as interim government with restricted powers. [20] Ten OĽANO MPs from the Civic and Democratic Platform who were advocating for a cabinet reshuffle left the OĽANO parliamentary caucus, reasoning they no longer had impact on the decisions of OĽANO. [21] On 22 December, the parliament passed the 2023 budget with a deficit of €8 billion. SaS supported the budget after several of its proposals were worked in following negotiations with Prime Minister Heger. These included expenditure limits, cancellation of concession fees to fund the state TV and radio as well as a lowered 10% tax on hospitality and sports venues services. [22]

After Matovič resigned as Minister of Finance, President Čaputová removed him from the office and appointed Heger as Interim Minister of Finance on 23 December. [23] Upon being removed from the office, Matovič shared multiple posts using his Facebook profile centered around LGBT issues to attack the Slovak mainstream news media. Heger criticised Matovič, and both admitted that the departures of Heger and Minister of Defence Jaroslav Naď from OĽANO were likely in the close future. [24]

Attempts for a new majority

On 9 January 2023, Eduard Heger announced that he would attempt to form a new government supported by a parliamentary majority. [25] Heger later announced his attempts to form a new majority ended. [26] A parliamentary majority voted for an early election that occurred on 30 September 2023. [27]

Heger's departure from OĽANO and succession by a caretaker government

Heger announced his departure from OĽANO on 6 March 2023, stating his different political views. [28] On 5 May, Minister of Foreign Affairs Rastislav Káčer informed the President of his request that his appointment be revoked. [29] On 1 May, Káčer later clarified that he left Democrats with the intention not to remain in politics. [30]

On 15 May 2023, President Čaputová announced that she would appoint a caretaker government that would rule until a new cabinet is formed following the early election on 30 September 2023, consisting of non-party experts led by Ľudovít Ódor. [31]

Notes

  1. ↑ Ran on the party ticket of Ordinary People and Independent Personalities. Left the party on 7 March 2023.
  2. ↑ Ran on the party ticket of Ordinary People and Independent Personalities.
  3. ↑ Ran on the party ticket of Ordinary People and Independent Personalities.
  4. ↑ Ran on the party ticket of Freedom and Solidarity.
  5. ↑ Ran on the party ticket of Ordinary People and Independent Personalities.
  6. ↑ Ran on the party ticket of Direction – Social Democracy. Left the parliamentary group on 11 September 2020 and were sitting as independents in the National Council.
  7. ↑ Ran on the party ticket of Kotlebists – People's Party Our Slovakia. Left the parliamentary group on 27 May 2020 and were sitting as independents in the National Council.
  8. ↑ Ran on the party ticket of Freedom and Solidarity.
  9. ↑ Joined Democrats on 7 March 2023.
  10. ↑ Joined Democrats on 7 March 2023.
  11. ↑ Acting minister.
  12. ↑ Did not serve as deputy prime minister.
  13. ↑ Independent, nominated by Ordinary People and Independent Personalities.
  14. ↑ Joined Democrats on 7 March 2023.
  15. ↑ Did not serve as deputy prime minister.
  16. ↑ Independent, nominated by We Are Family.
  17. ↑ Joined Democrats on 7 March 2023.
  18. ↑ Independent, nominated by Ordinary People and Independent Personalities.
  19. ↑ Independent, nominated by We Are Family.
  20. ↑ Acting minister.
  21. ↑ Independent, nominated by Ordinary People and Independent Personalities.
  22. ↑ Joined Democrats on 7 March 2023.
  23. ↑ Acting minister.
  24. ↑ Originally nominated by For the People.
  25. ↑ Independent, nominated by Ordinary People and Independent Personalities.
  26. ↑ Joined Democrats on 7 March 2023.
  27. ↑ Acting minister.
  28. ↑ Independent, nominated by Ordinary People and Independent Personalities.
  29. ↑ Independent, nominated by Freedom and Solidarity.
  30. ↑ Independent, nominated by Ordinary People and Independent Personalities.
  31. ↑ Joined Democrats on 7 March 2023.
  32. ↑ Joined Democrats on 7 March 2023.

Related Research Articles

Politics of Slovakia takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, with a multi-party system. Legislative power is vested in the parliament and it can be exercised in some cases also by the government or directly by citizens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freedom and Solidarity</span> Centre-right liberal political party in Slovakia

Freedom and Solidarity, also called Saska, is a centre-right liberal and libertarian political party in Slovakia. Established in 2009, SaS was founded by economist Richard Sulík, who designed Slovakia's flat tax system. It generally holds anti-state and neoliberal positions. After the 2020 Slovak parliamentary election, the party lost several seats in the National Council but became part of the coalition government with Ordinary People and Independent Personalities, For the People, and We Are Family. It is led by businessman Branislav Gröhling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Sulík</span> Slovak politician, economist and businessman

Richard Sulík is a Slovak politician, economist and businessman. He is the leader of the political party Freedom and Solidarity and served as Deputy Prime Minister for Economy and Minister of Economy in Government of Slovakia led by Eduard Heger. Sulik and his party resigned from the government on 31 August 2022.

Slovakia, known as Ordinary People and Independent Personalities until 2023, is a conservative political party in Slovakia. Founded in 2011 by former businessman Igor Matovič, the party has been characterized primarily as populist, championing anti-corruption, anti-elitist and anti-establishment sentiments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Igor Matovič</span> 7th Prime Minister of Slovakia

Igor Matovič is a Slovak politician and former businessman. He previously served as Deputy Prime Minister of Slovakia and Minister of Finance from April 2021 to December 2022 and prime minister from March 2020 to March 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Slovak parliamentary election</span>

Parliamentary elections were held in Slovakia on 29 February 2020 to elect all 150 members of the National Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Slovak presidential election</span>

Presidential elections were held in Slovakia in March 2019. Incumbent President Andrej Kiska did not run for a second term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Progressive Slovakia</span> Social-liberal political party in Slovakia

Progressive Slovakia is a liberal and social-liberal political party in Slovakia established in 2017. The party is led by Michal Šimečka, a former Vice President of the European Parliament. It is a member of the Renew Europe group and is a full member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party. PS currently has 6 MEPs: Ľudovít Ódor, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Martin Hojsík, Michal Wiezik, Ľubica Karvašová, and Lucia Yar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matovič's Cabinet</span>

The Cabinet of Igor Matovič was a Government of the Slovak Republic led by Prime Minister Igor Matovič. It was formed on 21 March 2020, following the 2020 parliamentary election as a coalition of four parties – Ordinary People and Independent Personalities, We Are Family, Freedom and Solidarity and For the People.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eduard Heger</span> 10th Prime Minister of Slovakia

Eduard Heger is a Slovak politician, who served as the Prime Minister of Slovakia from 1 April 2021 to 15 May 2023. He previously served as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance in the cabinet of Igor Matovič. Heger was a member of the presidium of the Ordinary People and Independent Personalities (OĽaNO) party which he left in March 2023 to take over the extra-parliamentary Blue Coalition party, subsequently rebranded as Democrats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marek Krajčí</span> Slovak politician (born 1974)

Marek Krajčí is a Slovak politician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ivan Korčok</span> Slovak politician (born 1964)

Ivan Korčok is a Slovak politician and retired diplomat who was Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia from 2020 to 2022 as an independent nominee of the Freedom and Solidarity political party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Slovak parliamentary election</span>

Early parliamentary elections were held in the Slovak Republic on 30 September 2023 to elect members of the National Council. Regular elections were scheduled to be held in 2024. However, on 15 December 2022 the government lost a no-confidence vote. Subsequently, the National Council amended the Constitution so that an early election could be held on 30 September 2023. This was the first snap election in the country since 2012.

Ján Mičovský is a Slovak forester, anti-corruption campaigner and politician. He was the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in the cabinets of Igor Matovič and Eduard Heger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Slovak constitutional referendum</span>

A constitutional referendum was held in Slovakia on 21 January 2023. Following the 2020 parliamentary election, in which the Direction – Slovak Social Democracy (SMER) was defeated by the Ordinary People and Independent Personalities (OĽaNO), opposition parties initiated a referendum to call a snap election.

Events in the year 2023 in Slovakia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Branislav Škripek</span> Slovak politician

Branislav Škripek is a Slovak politician. He has served as Member of the National Council of Slovakia since 2023, having previously served as an MP from 2012 to 2014. From 2014 to 2019 he served as a Member of the European Parliament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Democrats (Slovakia)</span> Political party in Slovakia

The Democrats, known as Together – Civic Democracy from 2018 until 2023, and later the Blue Coalition, is a Slovak political party founded in 2018 by Miroslav Beblavý. The party has changed leadership multiple times and is led by the former Minister of Defense of Slovakia Jaroslav Naď since 2 December 2023.

Juraj Krúpa is a Slovak security analyst and a member of the National Council of the Slovak Republic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fico's Fourth Cabinet</span> Government of Slovakia since 2023

Fico's Fourth Cabinet is the incumbent government of Slovakia. It is a three-party coalition government composed of Direction – Social Democracy (Smer), Voice – Social Democracy (Hlas) and the Slovak National Party (SNS).

References

  1. ↑ "President appointed the cabinet of Eduard Heger, called for empathy". The Slovak Spectator. 1 April 2021.
  2. ↑ "Heger's cabinet has the trust of the parliament. MPs approved its programme statement". The Slovak Spectator . Petit Press. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  3. ↑ Anjel, Vlado (9 April 2021). "AktuÁalne Ministrom práce sa opäť stal Milan Krajniak". Topky.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  4. ↑ Janíček, Karel (15 December 2022). "Slovak coalition government collapses after losing no-confidence vote in parliament". PBS . Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  5. ↑ "Slovensko potrebuje návrat k poriadku. Prezidentka žiada predčasné voľby ešte v prvom polroku". Sme (in Slovak). Petit Press. 16 December 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  6. ↑ Kováč, Peter (13 December 2022). "Ústavný súd stopol Matovičov bager v parlamente. Dávky štátu pre rodiny to nezmení". Sme (in Slovak). Petit Press. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  7. ↑ Kern, Miro; Osvaldová, Lucia; Folentová, Veronika (6 July 2022). "SaS dala Matovičovi ultimátum, aby do septembra odišiel z vlády". Denník N (in Slovak). N Press. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  8. ↑ "Krúpa ide k Sulíkovi. Nie fašisti, prachy sú podstatou, reaguje Matovič". Pravda (in Slovak). 29 July 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  9. ↑ "Matovič zostane ministrom financií aj po uplynutí ultimáta zo strany SaS, rozhodli v OĽaNO". Sme (in Slovak). Petit Press. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  10. ↑ Gdovinová, Denisa (20 August 2022). "Sulík ponúkol svoju funkciu – ako cenu za odchod Matoviča. Premiér navrhol päť zmien vo vláde". Denník N (in Slovak). N Press. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  11. ↑ Biró, Marek; Piknová, Petra; Paulovič, Michaela (31 August 2022). "Koaličná kríza: Matovič odíde z vlády, ak sa prijmú opatrenia navrhované OĽaNO". Aktuality.sk (in Slovak). Ringier Axel Springier Slovakia. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  12. ↑ Madro, Peter (31 August 2022). "Čaputová: Takto sa vládnuť nedá. Sulík podal demisiu, čo spraví Matovič?". Pravda (in Slovak). Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  13. ↑ "Do klubu Sme rodina vstúpia Tabák, Krošlák a Šimko". Sme (in Slovak). 31 August 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  14. ↑ "President appoints new ministers, criticises PM". The Slovak Spectator (in Slovak). Petit Press. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  15. ↑ "Slovakia: Deputy PM's attacks undermined government's broader efforts to strengthen press freedom". International Press Institute. 6 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  16. ↑ Biró, Marek; Sliz, Martin; Paulovič, Michaela (4 October 2022). "Igor Matovič zostáva na ministerskej stoličke. Opozícii chýbali na vyslovenie nedôvery len tri hlasy". Aktuality.sk (in Slovak). Ringier Axel Springier Slovakia.
  17. ↑ "SaS nebude o predčasných voľbách rokovať so Smerom ani extrémistami". Pravda (in Slovak). 14 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  18. ↑ "Martin Klus odchádza z klubu SaS". Aktuality.sk (in Slovak). Ringier Axel Springier Slovakia. 31 October 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  19. ↑ "Matovič prišiel doručiť demisiu prezidentke, následne si to rozmyslel". Sme (in Slovak). Petit Press. 15 December 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  20. ↑ "President Čaputová demands snap election before summer". The Slovak Spectator. 16 December 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  21. ↑ "Z klubu OĽaNO odchádzajú poslanci Občiansko-demokratickej platformy". Aktuality.sk (in Slovak). Ringier Axel Springier Slovakia. 19 December 2022.
  22. ↑ "Schválené! V parlamente prešiel štátny rozpočet na budúci rok". TA3 (in Slovak). 22 December 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  23. ↑ "Slovak president removes finance minister as part of budget deal". Reuters . 23 December 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  24. ↑ "Matovič's party might shed important members, including Heger". The Slovak Spectator. 12 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  25. ↑ "Slovak caretaker PM seeks new majority to finish term". Reuters. 9 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  26. ↑ "Heger's quest ends in failure, starts talks on snap elections". The Slovak Spectator. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  27. ↑ "Slovakia will hold early election in Sept, pro-Ukraine stance at stake". Reuters. 31 January 2023.
  28. ↑ Dlhopolec, Peter (7 March 2023). "Interim PM Heger leaves ruling party, finds new political home". The Slovak Spectator. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  29. ↑ "Slovak foreign minister quits in fresh blow to ailing cabinet". Reuters. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  30. ↑ "Požiadal som o zbavenie poverenia, aby prezidentka menovala úradnícku vládu, priznal Rastislav Káčer". Aktuality.sk (in Slovak). 12 May 2023.
  31. ↑ Dlhopolec, Peter (7 May 2023). "Slovak PM Eduard Heger resigns". The Slovak Spectator. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.