The election of the Attorney General takes place this week with the future of the ruling coalition possibly hanging on the outcome. The problems started when an SDKU MP nominated incumbent attorney general Dobroslav Trnka, a highly controversial nomination for many.
Three of the four coalition parties (SaS, Most-Hid, KDH) agreed on a common candidate in Eva Misikova. MP Jana Dubovcova from the strongest coalition partner, SDKU, nominated another candidate in Jan Hrivnak.
There has been a lot of criticism over the nomination of current Attorney general Trnka because of suspicions of crony practices. Trnka has been in office for seven years, and if re-elected, it could start the downward spiral for the four-party coalition. Saying that, Trnka has every chance of retaining his post, as he is also backed by the opposition Smer-SD party of Robert Fico.
Prime Minister Iveta Radicova wants to meet with her party colleagues today ahead of the vote, as she is now swaying toward the common candidate of her coalition partners, Eva Misikova, who already has the support of 51 MPs. On Slovak Radio at the weekend, the PM admitted that new blood was needed at the Attorney General’s Office, pointing out also that seven years in office was more than enough for any individual.
The PM also wants to hold a coalition meeting in the hope of ensuring a consensus in the vote, because if Trnka is successful, the boat will start to rock.