Zitnanska to Remain MP after Leaving Justice Ministry

Bratislava, March 15 (TASR) – Justice Minister and coalition Most-Hid Vice-chair Lucia Zitnanska will return to Parliament and serve as Most-Hid MP after leaving the ministerial post, TASR learnt on Thursday.

Speaking at a briefing at the Justice Ministry after the resignation of the Cabinet, Zitnanska explained her reasons why she decided not to continue in a new government.

“First and foremost I’ve decided not to continue because I’m convinced that I cannot represent either this or the new government anymore,” said Zitnanska.

“My differing attitudes with SNS [Slovak National Party], but also with some members of the Smer-SD party no longer allow me to meet the expectations of the public,” she added.

Zitnanska finds it correct that outgoing Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has resigned from his post following the events that took place after the double murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée.

Furthermore, Zitnanska stated that regarding the current situation in society, her departure from the Cabinet as well as the departure of other ministers is a better solution than a snap election.

Asked whether or not her ministerial post will be filled by the ministry’s State Secretary Maria Kolikova, as was reported by the media, Zitnanska didn’t rule out the information but said that it’s less likely.

Zitnanska also said that the resignation is the result of her own free decision and that no pressure in this regard was put on her from Most-Hid head Bela Bugar.