Slovak President Peter Pellegrini dismissed Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba on Wednesday, following a vote of no confidence held in the National Council on Tuesday. The no-confidence motion was supported by opposition parties and the smallest governing party, SNS, through which Taraba originally entered the government. Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer) will temporarily lead the Ministry of the Environment following the President’s decision. Fico has yet to publicly comment on the National Council’s vote. The opposition has reiterated its call for new elections to be scheduled in Slovakia. This change in leadership at the Ministry of the Environment introduces a period of transition within the Slovak government.