Why this story matters:
During the widespread protests in Slovakia this past week, protestors demanded three resignations: the minister of the interior, the prime minister and the chief of state police.
The first two have already stepped down. But organizers say there's been no real change because both continue to have influence over the ruling party.
One of the most important demands of the organizers was an independent investigation of the journalist's murder and the corruption in Slovakia he was writing about. That doesn't appear to be happening.
Organizers are now demanding early elections, but that also doesn't appear likely. So they are now wondering how many people will come to the public squares this Friday and if it will change politicians' minds.
Details from the story:
- Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced his resignation on Wednesday evening, days after interior minister Robert Kaliňák stepped down.
- The new PM, Peter Pellegrini, is the vice-president for information and EU funds and a former minister of education who is known as a "digital leader".
- People close to Pellegrini, 42, say he appears competent and determined at first, but the results of the work are usually weak, including the digitalization of the public sector.
- A new minister of the interior has not yet been named.
- The Minister of Justice, Lucia Žitňanská, has also resigned. She was regarded as one of the most popular, professional and productive ministers in office.
- The chief of state police remains in office.
