Government Okays Proposal to Appoint Jahnatek as URSO Head 

Bratislava, July 24 (TASR) – Former economy minister and current Smer-SD MP Lubomir Jahnatek is taking over the helm of energy regulator URSO as of Tuesday, July 25 after a proposal by the Economy Ministry to appoint Jahnatek to the role was approved by the Government on Monday.

Jahnatek’s appointment is in line with new rules governing the procedure whereby an approval by President Andrej Kiska is no longer needed.

Jahnatek emerged victorious from among four candidates who threw their hats into the ring to fill the vacancy left by former URSO head Jozef Holjencik in early February.

“The outcome of the selection procedure is that the selection committee recommended Jahnatek, and I think that I’ll accept this proposal,” said Economy Minister Peter Ziga (Smer) after the committee’s decision on June 28.

Opposition parties have said that Jahnatek should have no business being URSO chairman because of what they see as his political links and his failure to meet the formal statutory requirements.

However, both Jahnatek and Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) have dismissed such statements about alleged political affiliations, claiming instead that Jahnatek is an expert in the area and his nomination was proposed by the Association of Employers Unions (AZZZ).