The head of Slovakia’s state-owned gas utility SPP has resigned unexpectedly after two years in charge, stepping down from both his role as director general and chair of the board.
Vojtech Ferencz gave no reason for his departure, which was first reported by the SITA news agency and confirmed by Economy Minister Denisa Sakova.
“I respect his decision and have accepted his resignation,” Sakova said, adding that the government would announce further leadership decisions in due course.
SPP, which controled Slovakia’s gas supply, moved quickly to appoint Martin Huska, a board member and former executive at ESCO Slovensko and MH Teplarensky holding, as the new chief executive. Juraj Ondris, a long-serving manager at SPP, becomes chair of the board.
Peter Bagin and Vladimir Svigar have been appointed as new members of the board of SPP. Martin Rybar has been named deputy chair of the board.
Ferencz’s resignation comes against the backdrop of continuing tension over the future of Russian gas in Europe. During his tenure he consistently opposed calls to end SPP’s contract with Gazprom, which runs until 2034, even after the Russian supplier failed to deliver volumes in early 2025.
He argued that cancelling the deal could expose Slovakia to legal claims of up to EUR 20 billion and insisted the contract offered favourable pricing compared with alternatives. Appearing on Rossiya-1 on July 29, a Kremlin-controlled broadcaster, Ferencz warned that the EU’s planned 2027 ban on Russian gas could bankrupt SPP.
His stance drew criticism in Slovakia. Former economy minister Karel Hirman said some of the transit costs Ferencz cited were paid to Eustream, a Slovak pipeline operator, and argued that SPP had a duty to pursue legal action against Gazprom for undelivered supplies.
Ferencz, a political appointee under Prime Minister Robert Fico, had previously worked in the ministries of economy and environment. Under his leadership, SPP delivered EUR 279 million in profit last year and contributed more than EUR 700 million to the state budget in taxes and dividends.
SPP faces mounting challenges as the EU moves to cut reliance on Russian energy. The company’s new leadership must decide whether to maintain Ferencz’s cautious approach towards Gazprom or align more closely with Brussels. (The Slovak Spectator)