Peter Žiga (born 27 July 1972) is a Slovak politician and businessman, a member of the National Council for Voice – Social Democracy (Hlas-SD), and previously Direction – Social Democracy (SMER-SD). He was formerly Minister of the Environment (2012–2016) and Minister of the Economy (2016–2020) of Slovakia.
Peter Žiga | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2015 | |
| Speaker of the National Council | |
| Assumed office 7 April 2024 | |
| President | Zuzana Čaputová Peter Pellegrini |
| Preceded by | Peter Pellegrini |
| Deputy Speaker of the National Council | |
| Assumed office 25 October 2023 | |
| Speaker | Peter Pellegrini Himself |
| Member of the National Council | |
| Assumed office 21 March 2020 | |
| In office 8 July 2010 – 4 April 2012 | |
| Minister of Economy | |
| In office 23 March 2016 – 21 March 2020 | |
| Prime Minister | Robert Fico Peter Pellegrini |
| Preceded by | Vazil Hudák |
| Succeeded by | Richard Sulík |
| Minister of Environment | |
| In office 4 April 2012 – 23 March 2016 | |
| Prime Minister | Robert Fico |
| Preceded by | József Nagy |
| Succeeded by | László Sólymos |
| Undersecretary of Economy | |
| In office 19 July 2006 – 8 July 2010 | |
| Minister | Ľubomír Jahnátek |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 July 1972 Košice, Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia) |
| Political party | Voice – Social Democracy (since 2020) |
| Other political affiliations | Direction – Social Democracy (until 2020) |
| Spouse | Renáta Žigová |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Economics in Bratislava |
Early life and education
editBetween 1990 and 1995, Žiga studied at the Faculty of Business Administration, University of Economics in Bratislava. After completing his studies, he became a representative and manager in several Slovak and foreign companies, including the largest timber trader company Taper.[1]
Political career
editAs Minister of Environment in Fico's Second Cabinet, Žiga was investigated for suspicion of stealing the property of state forests, at the expense of which his private company profited.[2]
In the 2020 Slovak parliamentary election, Žiga was elected to National Council of Slovakia as a member of Smer. He announced his departure together with nine other deputies later that year.[3]
When Peter Pellegrini took office as president of Slovakia on 7 April 2024, Žiga was entrusted with the function of Chairman of the National Council of the Slovak Republic.[4]
Corruption allegations
editSince becoming Minister of the Environment, Žiga has been investigated for corruption related to state-owned forests, from which his own private company is alleged to have benefited.[5][6] The current government, elected in 2020, has launched investigations into several cases dating from during Žiga's tenure at the Ministry of the Environment, including alleged theft of public funds and Eurofunds, signing of unfavorable contracts for the export of timber, and channelling of millions in European Union subsidies to companies connected with Smer-SD.[7]
Personal life
editIn 2016, Žiga was ranked among the 40 most influential people in the Slovak energy sector by Euractiv.[8]
References
edit- ^ Haluza, Ivan (25 October 2017). "Najväčší obchodník s drevom Žiga vyletel až vo vysokej politike". Trend.sk (in Slovak). Archived from the original on 1 May 2019.
- ^ Haluza, Ivan (23 March 2016). "Staronovému ministrovi Žigovi sype jeho biznis s drevom stále viac". Trend.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ Kern, Miro (17 June 2020). "Pellegrini ohlásil stranu, má zatiaľ 11 poslancov". Denník N (in Slovak). N Press.
- ^ Tomečková, Nicol (8 April 2024). "Peter Pellegrini už nie je poslancom ani predsedom Národnej rady SR". Radio and Television of Slovakia (in Slovak).
- ^ "Staronovému ministrovi Žigovi sype jeho biznis s drevom stále viac". Trend.sk (in Slovak). Trend Media. 23 March 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
- ^ "Do vyšetrovania Žigovej firmy sa zapojil Kováčik". Denník N (in Slovak). N Press. 25 June 2019. Retrieved 4 Jun 2020.
- ^ "Polícia obvinila z korupcie bývalého manažéra štátnych lesov". Sme (in Slovak). Petit Press. Retrieved 4 Jun 2020.
- ^ "Zverejnili 40 najvplyvnejších ľudí slovenskej energetiky". Aktuality.sk (in Slovak). Ringier Axel Springier Slovakia. 6 September 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
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