Infrastructure Minister Will Not Resign
"No chance," Omerzel said as journalists continued to quiz him about his potential resignation after PM Alenka Bratušek announced on Monday that she would meet him before she decides "how to proceed or leave it up to the minister to decide".
Citizens' List (DL) leader Gregor Virant, whose party put forward Omerzel, told the STA that the meeting, in which he would also be present himself, would probably be held on Friday.
Omerzel finds it "very correct" of the prime minister to give him the chance to present his side of the story before any decision on his status is taken.
The minister presented the details concerning his company's cooperation with DARS to his party colleagues in meetings of the DL deputy group and executive committee.
Both bodies voiced their support and want him to stay on. "The party is confident he will serve out his term and that he will be one of the best infrastructure ministers ever," deputy Rihard Braniselj said.
The party does not wish to speculate what would happened if Bratušek attempted to replace him but thinks this will not happen, according to Braniselj.
Omerzel became the target of media criticism and speculation about his potential resignation after two ministers had stepped down as it transpired that his company Lastinski had been doing business with DARS for years.
The company was preparing to renew the contract with DARS for the maintenance of road weather stations, but the minister announced last week that the company would not renew the contract.
Virant said yesterday that the deals between Omerzel's company and DARS "leave a bitter after taste" because the minister decided to cancel an extension only after media reported about them.
Omerzel had promised in his hearing in parliament before his appointment on 2 April that he would not sign any new deals with the state.
His predecessor in office Igor Maher resigned just days after appointment after he was found to own an illegal build.
Stanko Stepišnik was forced to step down as minister of economic development and technology two weeks ago because a company in part owned by him bid for state subsidies.
Health Minister Tomaž Gantar meanwhile resigned last week citing lack of support to push through the much needed reforms.