Ombudswoman Won't Propose Court Candidates

Ombudswoman Mária Patakyová won't propose any names for the post of Constitutional Court judge, her spokesperson Michaela Pavelková stated on Monday. Pavelková added that the ombudswoman had planned to use her authority to put forward names of candidates in the fifth voting round as well, but this time the candidates declined her offer. Patakyová believes that the lack of interest among candidates in running for the post is due to the "irresponsible approach of some parliamentarians towards the Constitutional Court vote", and that this is having a negative impact on the public's trust in the court. The deadline to submit proposals for candidates expired on August 26. MPs are scheduled to elect Constitutional Court judges at the next parliamentary session starting on September 10. This will be the fifth such election, and the coalition still hasn't agreed on the method of voting. Smer-SD insists on a secret vote, while the Slovak National Party (SNS) and Most-Hid want a public one. As nine judicial posts were vacated at the Constitutional Court in February, Parliament was tasked with electing 18 candidates, from among whom the head of state should appoint nine judges. The Constitutional Court currently has seven out of 13 judges. President Zuzana Čaputová has said that she'll appoint constitutional judges when she receives the full number of candidates.