Milan Lučanský, the former head of the Police Inspection who is to become the new chief of the Slovak Police on June 1st, received a mixed public welcome. Interior Minister Denisa Saková who chose him praised his professional experience. "I expect him and his two new deputies to bring a new level to some areas, such as cutting short criminal proceedings, boosting confidence in the police, and trying to reduce the level of defamation of all members of the Police Corps," said the minister. Deputy Prosecutor General Peter Šufliarsky praised his appointment as "a good choice". Lučanský will hold the post of Police Corps president only temporarily, until new legislation concerning the selection of the police chief comes into force. In the interim period, he wants to focus on various challenges, such as migration and terrorism.
Representatives of the civic initiative "For a Decent Slovakia" consider the nomination of Milan Lučanský for President of the Police Corps as a misunderstanding of the situation in Slovakia. The initiative, which resulted from street protests following the murder of journalist Ján Kuciak, considers the nomination proof that the "current Interior Minister Denisa Saková (SMER-SD) remains nothing but ex-Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák's right-hand woman and she will not even pretend she wants a change of style in the leadership of the Interior Ministry and the police". They add that as well as the weak performance of the police inspection under his leadership, Lučanský cannot explain clearly where he obtained the money to buy a house in Florida. The Interior Minister said that the new police chief had passed a complete financial check and two months ago received renewed security clearance of the "top confidential" degree. "All this media information and media scandals reported to his disadvantage were thus false accusations," she said. Lučanský has denied the accusations that he is "the extended hand of ex-Minister Robert Kaliňák".
The opposition parties seem divided over Lučanský. While Olano-NOVA and the Freedom and Solidarity party have criticized his appointment for being "Kaliňák's man", the We are family party MP Milan Krajniak says he is a wise choice as he is not connected to any oligarchs.
