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Slovak President Accepts Resignation of Defense Minister
Slovak President Rudolf Schuster Tuesday accepted the resignation of Defense Minister Pavol Kanis and agreed to name the country's ambassador to the Czech Republic Jozef Stank to replace him, said a local radio report.
Kanis submitted his resignation Tuesday following allegations of financial scandal and criticisms over his personnel policy at the ministry.
The Slovak media reported last month that Kanis's new luxury villa, which is estimated to be worth 15 million crowns (US$300,000), could not be financed from his salary.
Kanis rejected the allegations and said he got the money from successful bets and interests. He presented Schuster Tuesday an auditing report of his personal property in a bid to clear his name.
Kanis also came under suspicion to pay a controversial debt related to Russian fighters MIG-29 and in connection with alleged deals in ammunition and military real estate.
Stank was nominated to the post of defense minister by the Democratic Left Party (SDL), the second biggest member in the government's four-party ruling coalition. The leftists are entitled to this post under the ruling coalition pact.
Stank has been a member of the diplomatic corps of the Foreign Ministry since 1993. Previously he was a member of the Czecho- Slovak federal parliament.
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