President Appoints Samuel Migal to Post of Investment Minister (2)

Bratislava, March 19 (TASR) - President Peter Pellegrini on Wednesday appointed Samuel Migal to the post of investment, regional development and informatisation minister, at the same time accepting the resignation of incumbent head of the ministry Richard Rasi (Voice-SD). "Dear Minister Migal, you're not taking up your position because you received a strong mandate and trust directly from the people in the election, nor because you have been intensively involved in the topic of utilising EU funds in your professional life or previous work as an MP. You will be a member of the government solely based on political agreements, which you made as a condition for your further support of the governing coalition with the Prime Minister [Robert Fico] and the strongest coalition party, which, according to the coalition agreement, has taken political responsibility for your ministry," stated the head of state in his speech. According to the president, the people don't know the details of this political agreement. "Therefore, they can't assess how much this agreement will allow you to promote the values you often mention, nor which values those will be. However, for me as president, and for the people of this country, it's important that Slovakia has a competent minister at the helm of an important ministry that plays a key role in ensuring the development of Slovak regions. Despite my personal views on the matter, I wish you the best in fulfilling this role for the benefit of the people and the Slovak Republic," emphasised the president. Migal had been serving as an Independent MP after being expelled from the Voice-SD parliamentary caucus. He became the minister based on an agreement that he signed with Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD). In addition to new ministers, the agreement is expected to bring stable support for the governing coalition. Fico announced on Wednesday that the support of 79 MPs should be restored at the next parliamentary session. The changes were preceded by an agreement between the governing parties to modify the coalition agreement and the distribution of government posts. Smer-SD has taken the Investment, Regional Development and Informatisation Ministry and the Tourism and Sport Ministry under its remit. The coalition agreement was altered in response to the changed proportions of MPs in Parliament, as both the Slovak National Party (SNS) and the Voice-SD caucuses lost MPs. Migal will replace Richard Rasi, who is the deputy chairman of Voice-SD. According to the agreement within the coalition, Rasi is set to become the new House chair. lin