Robert Fico is trying to force out NBS Governor Peter Kažimír and install Ladislav Kamenický

PM Robert Fico is trying to force out central bank NBS Governor Peter Kažimír and install his finance minister Ladislav Kamenický in his place, writes Politico. Kažimír’s term expired on June 1, but he remains in office until a successor is appointed. The coalition agreement assigns the post to the Hlas party, which wants to retain Kažimír. Fico considers Kažimír a traitor because five years ago, he and Peter Pellegrini left Smer and founded Hlas. Politico recalls Kažimír’s conviction for bribery, which many at the NBS find problematic. It quotes an unnamed former NBS official who says Kamenický is not genuinely interested in public finances or central banking and prefers painting. The extent of the problem will become clear in the fall, when Slovakia is set to hold talks with the EU on its high public deficit, for which the bloc is threatening sanctions.

(politico.eu, pravda.sk)