Today President Andrej Kiska accepted the resignation of the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, Robert Fico, and the resignation of the government of the Slovak Republic. He has also appointed the government whose resignation he has accepted, to perform its functions until the new government has been appointed. With the establishment of the new government of the Slovak Republic, the head of the state has designated Peter Pellegrini, Vice-Chairman of the Government for Investments and Informatization.

“Two weeks ago, after talks with the Prime Minister on the political crisis that has paralyzed Slovakia after the horrible murder of Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnířová, I said that I saw two solutions. A fundamental change in the government through repeated requests regarding the trust of the national council or early elections.

Instead of willing to accept the basic political responsibility of the government and its head to begin the painful but necessary process of restoring the trust of people in the state, its representatives and justness, we have reached something completely different. The unwillingness to understand political reality, conspiracy theories about upheavals managed from abroad, questioning the right of people to peaceful gatherings. No wonder that the results of dissatisfaction were the protests for a decent Slovakia, the biggest since 1989.

You know that — as I mentioned — I was negotiating with the representatives of democratic parliamentary parties, about how they would present a solution to the political crisis and alleviate tensions in society. These meetings demonstrated that there are currently no more than 90 MPs in the National Council of the Slovak Republic who would decide to shorten the office term and declare early elections.

Last night, at the request of the Prime Minister, I accepted the chairmen of the coalition parties. They informed me that the government of Robert Fico is ready to resign. They also expressed their willingness to continue as coalition partners and informed me that they have the support of the parliamentary majority to form a new government led by Peter Pellegrini.

After two weeks of international shame, denial of political responsibility and mass protests, we are back at the beginning. With the resignation of the current government and the replacement of the prime minister. This is a fundamental change of government in which it will be necessary for the new prime minister to demand the trust of parliamentarians. Although I understand that the atmosphere has so deteriorated over the past two weeks that neither the announced resignation of the Minister of the Interior nor the resignation of the three-time Prime Minister may be enough of a sign for the public to end the protests.

In this connection I would like to point out to the Prime Minister that the Constitution of the Slovak Republic makes the resignation of the Prime Minister conditional on a single constitutional requirement. And that is the delivery of the resignation to the Head of State.

I would welcome that, in such a serious constitutional act, everyone would act only on the basis of the Constitution, within its limits and in the scope and manner prescribed by the law. I am therefore calling on the leaders of the coalition parties this morning to remind them. Because our duty is to contribute to calming the situation, not further increasing tension in society.

That is why I consider the discussion of some conditions for the resignation of the Prime Minister and the Government to be closed. If today Mr. Fico delivers his resignation, I will accept it as the Head of State.

I want to remind you of what is most important. The Slovak Republic is a parliamentary democracy in which, according to the constitution, the government derives its mandate from the majority of the deputies in the national council. As President, I respected this during the composition of the government after the elections in 2016 and I will respect the constitution and constitutional customs also now.

I have therefore accepted Mr. Pellegrini today, with signatures by 79 MPs, who have expressed him support as possible prime minister. There is no other majority needed to rule at present in the national council. There is also no constitutional majority of parliamentarians to agree today on shortening the term of office and declare early parliamentary elections.

I spoke to Mr. Pellgrini today about how he would proceed if I appoint him to form a government. We discussed the possible staffing of individual ministries, as well as about wanting to start restoring the trust of people in the state.

Based on all the facts and on the basis of the Constitution as well as the constitutional customs of our country, I have commissioned Mr. Pellegrini to form a government after I accept the resignation of Mr. Fico’s government. Of course, assuming such a resignation would be delivered to me.”