Foreign Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák resigned, Fico to replace him

Foreign Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák resigned on Thursday in response to parliament’s rejection of the UN Compact on Migration. The motion to reject the Compact was approved by two of the three ruling parties, Smer and SNS, the Sme rodina opposition party, and the extremist party ĽSNS, without whose vote the motion wouldn’t have passed. Lajčák, who helped to formulate the Compact as head of the UN General Assembly, said SNS’ objections to it were “silly”. The coalition party Most-Híd did not raise a hand for the motion, and wanted Lajčák to go to a UN conference to explain Slovakia’s position.

It is possible PM Peter Pellegrini will refuse to accept the resignation. More likely is that Smer will nominate its leader, Robert Fico, as Lajčák’s successor.

(Pravda/1)