President to decide on new central bank governor

President Andrej Kiska will have talks on Wednesday with Finance Minister Peter Kažimír on his candidacy for the post of governor of the Slovak central bank (NBS). Kiska will also speak with the candidate for the post of vice-governor of the bank, Jozef Hudák. The Government's suggestion to appoint Kažimír as governor and Hudák as vice-governor of the central bank was approved by Parliament in December. The appointment itself must be made by the president. The President's Office has stated that Kiska will announce his decision after he meets with both candidates. The current governor Jozef Makúch announced his decision to step down in November, although his term of office was not due to end until 2021. He is expected to leave in March. Makúch has called Kažimír a good successor but has criticised Hudák's qualifications.