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| - Slovak Finance Minister Eduard Heger, who on Tuesday was tasked with forming a new government, is a deeply religious former economist and businessman known for his pragmatic personality. The 44-year-old father of four is opposed to abortion and listed "Christian activist" as his job when running for parliament for the first time in 2016. Heger was the only politician seen as a possible successor to outgoing prime minister Igor Matovic within their centre-right OLaNO party. "Heger is less emotive than Matovic was and therefore he could help ease tensions within the government." Bratislava-based political analyst Pavol Babos told AFP. "However, he is also loyal to Igor Matovic, and therefore the former prime minister will continue to play a major role in coalition relations," Babos added. Dubbed "Edo" by his friends, Heger is described as affable by his colleagues and is one of Slovakia's most active lawmakers, authoring 173 bills. Edita Pfundtner, a former MP, said he was a "pragmatic politician, capable of compromises", adding that he could "deal with problems without conflicts". Heger has been active in Martindom, a Bratislava-based charismatic fellowship of Christians, and frequently gives lectures on politics and Christianity. He was not brought up a Christian and only became one at 23, after the sudden death of his father in 1999. "I think that people who are faithful to God belong to politics and even have the best preconditions to succeed in this important role," Heger told one interviewer. In a 2010 video, he listed his priorities as "God, family, and work". Some analysts say his deeply held beliefs may be a drawback. "His ideological distinctiveness can lead to a conflict with a more liberal-oriented part of the coalition," political analyst Juraj Marusiak told AFP. Heger was born on May 3, 1976 in the Slovak capital Bratislava. He studied business at the University of Economics in Bratislava, before taking a job as a restaurant manager. After 2001, he worked as a consultant at the Ministry of Defence, where he participated in the reform of the armed forces when Slovakia was preparing for NATO accession. But his professional career is most linked to spirits. He helped to launch the premium Slovak vodka Double Cross and managed overseas sales of the brand between 2007 and 2016. During this time he lived in the United States for a period and speaks fluent English. When he returned to Slovakia, Heger became an MP for the OLaNO party in 2016 at the age of 40. He is also the chairman of the Board of Governors at the European Investment Bank, the lending arm of the European Union. He is currently Slovakia's deputy prime minister and also acting health minister and education minister after the previous incumbents resigned in the current political crisis. In his role as finance minister, he has helped draft a post-Covid recovery plan for Slovakia that places an emphasis on green issues, as well as structural reforms. Julia Esztergalyos, a family friend, said Heger had "a special sense of humour, and the more tired he is, the more he talks" -- and he is even "a good dancer". juh/dt/tgb
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