Slovak President Hands Over Salary to the Poor, Sick

Slovakia's President Andrej Kiska has given his first month's salary to 10 impoverished families, some coping with serious illness, a spokesman said Friday.

"Eight families will each receive bank transfers of 537.60 euros ($721.92). In the other two cases, the president has sent the same amount by money order for those without bank accounts," spokesman Peter Petrus told local media.

The 51-year old tycoon, who took office in June, made his fortune in the consumer-credit business.

Kiska used his millions to create Slovakia's biggest charity, "Good Angel", helping terminally ill children and their families.

Kiska emerged from nowhere to beat popular Prime Minister Robert Fico, a veteran leftist, in the March presidential poll.

On the campaign trail, Kiska promised to hand over his entire salary -- 5,376 euro per month -- to the needy for his entire five-year term.

The recipients, whose identity will not be made public, were chosen with the help of several charities.

Several are seriously ill, Petrus said without elaborating.