Fico: Kalinak's Resignation Not Result of Police's or His Personal Failure

Bratislava, March 12 (TASR) – Interior Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD) didn’t step down from his post as a result of the police’s or his personal failures in investigating two young people’s murders, said Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) on Monday, adding that the investigation remains a priority for all respective state authorities.

“I view Robert Kalinak’s resignation chiefly as his personal contribution towards stability, maintaining democracy and the possibility to continue to engage in positive politics for people. Kalinak was one of the most talented ministers in all the governments I’ve led,” stated Fico, at the same time thanking Kalinak for his ten years of work at the Interior Ministry. “We’re thankful to him for the smooth implementation of Schengen rules, fewer road accidents and visa-free travel,” said the prime minister.

Fico also returned to the issue of the murders of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his girlfriend Martina Kusnirova, which happened around two weeks ago now. “The murders of two young people must have stirred emotions in the whole of society. Today, we hear on the streets that Slovakia will no longer be a safe, good and stable country. However, I dare to oppose these opinions. We marked the 25th anniversary of the independent Slovakia on January 1,” said Fico, adding that all three top constitutional officials concurred at that time that Slovakia has advanced a long way since then and that people live better lives. “This story can’t end due to one tragedy, however painful it is. It’s up to us whether we succumb to scepticism or keep working on this story together,” stated Fico.

“The decision on continuing this story is in the hands of the governing coalition this very day. I believe that we’ll all act in a responsible manner. Leaving the country to the mercy of [OLaNO leader Igor] Matovic, [SaS vice-chair Lubomir] Galko or [We Are Family chair Boris] Kollar is anything but responsible in relation to people,” said the prime minister.

Kalinak announced his resignation on Monday morning. He said that he was stepping down from office in an effort to contribute towards preserving stability in Slovakia following the murders of Kuciak and his fiancée, adding that he believes that the police will find the murderer and the person that ordered the killings.