Election 2020: Harabin's Tenure as Judge Terminates as of December 31

Bratislava, December 6 (TASR) - Stefan Harabin's tenure as judge will be terminated as of December 31 due to his decision to run in the 2020 parliamentary election, TASR learnt from President Zuzana Caputova's spokesman Martin Strizinec on Friday. "The President's Office received a letter from the State Commission for Elections and Financing of Political Parties with a copy of the statement by Stefan Harabin, who gave a written consent with his candidacy in the parliamentary election. Hence, the law stipulates that his tenure as a judge is to be terminated as of December 31, 2019," claimed Strizinec. Harabin has had his tenure suspended since December 1, 2019, and apprised the Justice Ministry of this fact in a letter. "He cited as a reason his retirement," stated ministry spokesperson Zuzana Drobova. Parliament approved an amendment to the Judges and Assessors Act, which has banned judges from retaining their posts if running in elections to parliament or the European Parliament as of October 15. Harabin is contesting the election as leader of the Homeland party. mf/mcs