Slovak Agriculture Minister Appointed

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia - Slovakia's president appointed a new agriculture minister Tuesday to replace a member of the fractious coalition Cabinet who was fired over claims of an improper land deal.

Zdena Kramplova replaces Miroslav Jurena, who was fired on Friday over allegations linked to a cut-price land deal. Jurena is not being investigated by authorities and denies wrongdoing.

Kramplova and Jurena are members of the People's Party-Movement for a Democratic Slovakia, the junior partner in the coalition government of Prime Minister Robert Fico.

The Agriculture Ministry oversees a government agency responsible for returning private land seized by the former communist regime to its original owners.