President Appoints Mecelova as Supreme Court Deputy Chair

Bratislava, 8 January (TASR) - President Peter Pellegrini has appointed Terezia Mecelova as deputy chair of the Supreme Court, presenting her with the appointment decree at the Presidential Palace on Thursday. "I'm convinced that the leadership of the Supreme Court is gaining a professionally and morally qualified personality in you and that you'll be an encouragement and reinforcement for it," said Pellegrini, emphasising that Mecelova was nominated for the post by Supreme Court head Frantisek Mozner and that the new deputy chair shares Mozner's vision. He expects that a cohesive team will lead the institution and that they'll succeed in strengthening the court's personnel. According to the president, Mecelova is taking on the burden of responsibility not only for the state of the judiciary, but also for its credibility. "This isn't just a statistical indicator or the results of one of many public opinion polls. Everyone in our country wants to live in a just society and considers this to be one of the most important criteria by which they judge their quality of life," said Pellegrini. According to the head of state, people need to be sure that the rule of law and its institutions guarantee their right to justice and a fair trial. "A loss of faith in justice could lead to a loss of confidence in our constitutional order and democratic system. It could also contribute in a dangerous manner to the polarisation of a society already traumatised by numerous conflicts and negative emotions," noted the president, adding that an independent and functional judiciary is important for social cohesion, for the functioning of society and for its further development. am/df