Slovenian minister resigns after drunk driving arrest

A Slovenian minister submitted his resignation on Tuesday after he was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol on Monday night, Channel6newsonline.com reported.

Local government and regional development minister Henrik Gjerkesm, 45, had been arrested on Monday when driving back from a Christmas party. He came to the attention of police officers as he was driving too slow and had sustained a flat tire.

He was taken into custody and spent the night in jail at a southern Ljubljana police station.

On Tuesday, Gjerkes publicly expressed his regret for his actions and submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Borut Pahor.

The Slovenian government later held a meeting in order to look for a suitable replacement, and indications are that Trobec Bucanovo will be chosen as Gjerkes' successor.