Slovak Philanthropist President Backs Anti-Graft Rallies

Slovak President Andrej Kiska on Wednesday threw his support behind the anti-corruption rallies sweeping the country and urged the leftist government to "listen to the dissatisfaction" of thousands of protesters.

The opposition-led demonstrations "are understandable, they are legitimate, I can see the reasons for them," the non-aligned Kiska told parliament.

About 5,000 people protested in the capital Bratislava late Tuesday against the health ministry's purchase of overpriced hospital equipment, as well as loopholes in rules on public tenders that they insist open the door to graft.

Two other rallies were organised elsewhere in Slovakia over the last couple of weeks.

The hospital equipment controversy has tarnished the image of Prime Minister Robert Fico's popular government and has sparked such slogans as "Prison for Fico".

It has already forced the resignation of the health minister, as well as the parliamentary speaker, who has connections to the company that sold the overpriced equipment.

Fico, an ex-communist, already took a political blow in March when Kiska scuppered his presidential bid.

A multi-millionaire turned philanthropist, the 51-year-old Kiska burst out of nowhere to be elected president of the eurozone member of 5.4 million people.

Analysts say Kiska capitalized on his image as a political greenhorn. He was untainted by the corruption allegations that sank Slovakia's right wing in the 2012 general election and handed victory to Fico's social democrats.

Slovakia ranked 61st in the 2013 corruption perception index, published annually by the watchdog Transparency International. It lags behind such countries as Lesotho, Namibia and Rwanda.