BRATISLAVA, October 25. /TASS/. Slovakia’s President Zuzana Caputova has formally appointed a new government headed by Robert Fico, leader of the Direction - Social Democracy (Smer) party, as prime minister.

The gala ceremony held at the presidential palace in Bratislava was broadcast by the TA3 channel.

"The republic’s president, Zuzana Chaputova, has appointed a new Slovak government headed by Prime Minister Robert Fico," the head of the presidential administration’s protocol department said.

Following the election to Slovakia’s National Council (parliament) held on September 30, a coalition government was formed by Fico’s party with the Voice - Social Democracy party and the Slovak National Party. They rely on support of 79 out of 150 lawmakers.