Zitnanska Ambivalent Over Prochazka's Bid for EUGC Additional Judge

Bratislava, September 28 (TASR) – Justice Minister Lucia Zitnanska (Most-Hid) doesn’t have a clear opinion on the candidacy of former Siet (Network) party leader Radoslav Prochazka for the post of an additional judge of the EU General Court, as approved by Cabinet at its session on Wednesday.

Zitnanska feels ambivalent with respect to his bid. “My personal opinion is just as ambivalent as I’ve described it. I think that a lot of us feel the same. I’ve known Rado Prochazka as a professional for years, that’s why I’m wavering,” said Zitnanska, who voted for Prochazka at today’s session.

“It’s totally obvious that the nomination of Prochazka wouldn’t be doubted if it had happened two years ago, which attests to his erudition. A political career sometimes complicates further professional growth. Everyone views it this way and awaits how Luxembourg will assess it. Nevertheless, we’ll get an answer and we’ll be shown clear boundaries of what’s acceptable and what’s not,” she explained.

Interior Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD) thinks that Prochazka is a good candidate. “You can’t always bind politics with professional activities. In politics you are often confronted with opinions that have two kinds of answers – and the media often choose the one they would like to prove as false,” noted Kalinak.

“To a certain extent politics could be a burden regarding some matters, but I think that he is the most qualified from among all those that didn’t succeed,” he emphasised.

Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajcak (Smer-SD nominee) said that he doesn’t dare to evaluate Prochazka as he has never met him in person before. However, Lajcak noted that Prochazka’s resume impressed him. “Everyone should do what they know the best. I rely on the Judicial Council as it’s the most competent authority to assess these qualities,” emphasised Lajcak.

Prochazka was nominated by the Judicial Council on September 19, when he received the required minimum of ten votes out of a total of 17. Prochazka isn’t worried that his political career could hinder him being accepted by the Court of Justice of the EU. He’ll renounce his parliamentary mandate only after he’s been assigned the prestigious international post.