MPs Debating Ouster Motion Against Schools Minister
The motion was filed by the Democratic Party (SDS) in February in relation to alleged corruption in a public tender for civic education carried out in 2009. The SDS pointed to an anonymous police complaint against Pikalo and the education minister at the time, Igor Lukšič.
Pikalo has rebuffed any wrongdoing and criticised the motion as politicking, arguin that the allegations are over a matter that had nothing to do with his term as minister. He has also suggested that the motion is more an attempt to target Lukšič, the leader of the Social Democrats (SD), which had proposed Pikalo for the ministerial job.
The SDS will need to muster a majority to oust the minister, which it is unlikely to do given that the four coalition parties have indicated in recent days that they are firmly behind the minister.
It will be one of two ouster motions against ministers in the Alenka Bratušek cabinet scheduled to be debated this week: Interior Minister Gregor Virant will answer a motion on the final day of the plenary, on Friday.