Slovak News Back to the news
Makuch's Candidacy for NBS Head Supported by Parliament
Thursday 10 December 2009 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, December 10 (TASR) - The Government's nomination of Jozef Makuch for the post of governor of the Slovak central bank (NBS) was approved by Parliament on Thursday, with Makuch supported by 71 out of the 105 MPs present.
President Ivan Gasparovic will now have the final say on his appointment.
At the same time, Parliament rejected a proposal from the opposition Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) to postpone the vote on the new NBS governor. KDH claimed that Makuch failed to meet representatives of parliamentary caucuses as a candidate and didn't attempt to win their support.
The new governor, who is 56 years old and has been on the NBS bank board since January 2006, will replace Ivan Sramko, whose term in office expires very soon and who, according to Sramko himself, turned down a repeat candidacy. The Government approved the proposal for Makuch's appointment on Wednesday.
According to Prime Minister Robert Fico, the Government's intention was to nominate someone who wouldn't be a party candidate and who would provide continuity. "We were looking for a person who would ensure continuity within NBS and this was also what the current NBS governor (Sramko) wanted," said Fico on Wednesday.
Sramko noted that Makuch has been active in the financial sphere for a long time. "I certainly expect him to affirm continuity and to continue to develop the good name of the institution. I expect that he'll continue normally as an experienced person for whom this area isn't new," added the outgoing governor.
"I'm satisfied with this nomination, and I believe that Mr. Makuch will be fully up to holding this post," said Finance Minister Jan Pociatek following a session of the Government, adding that Makuch complies with his three conditions for the post - expert knowledge, political independence, and complete familiarity with processes that are underway at NBS and the European Central Bank.
All rights reserved. Any publishing or further dissemination of press releases and photographs from TASR's resources without TASR's prior written approval constitutes a violation of the Copyrights Act.
