Slovak Minister Resigns After Criticism Over Handling of EU Funds
- Plavcan quits amid tension in three-party ruling coalition
- Governing parties see no other alternative to current tie-up
Peter Plavcan
Photographer: Olivier Hoslet/EPAThis article is for subscribers only.
Slovak Education Minister Peter Plavcan resigned after the prime minister criticized his office over the distribution of European Union aid in a dispute that’s raised tensions in the euro-member state’s ruling coalition.
Plavcan, a nominee of junior-coalition Slovak National Party, announced his resignation Thursday, a day after Premier Robert Fico said “suspicion remains” over the Education Ministry’s handling of tenders to allocate 600 million euros in EU aid for research. Fico asked the party to replace him. Plavcan has denied any wrongdoing and canceled one of the contested procurement processes.