Fico: Kamenicky Not Leaving for Central Bank NBS Post, Must Prepare Budget

Bratislava, 24 May (TASR) - Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has dismissed allegations that he's planning a government reshuffle or that Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenicky (Smer-SD) wants to leave for a post in the Slovak central bank (NBS), describing them as fabrications, TASR reported on Sunday. Fico stated on a social network that "if the minister has such ambitions going forward, I wish him all the best. It's a dream job for any financial expert, but not at this time. Right now, the minister is required to draft the 2027 budget and fight for its approval," stated Fico. According to him, if this government is to discuss personnel matters concerning NBS, it's necessary to wait for the final verdict in a criminal case involving incumbent NBS governor Peter Kazimir. "I'll refrain from commenting on the merits of his criminal prosecution, which is just as strange as those brought against all of us between 2020 and 2023. However, if the court upholds the first-instance conviction on appeal, I cannot imagine him being reappointed as governor. This is, after all, a case involving an economic crime," said Fico. Under all circumstances, he said that, as prime minister, he wants to focus primarily on ensuring a functional governing majority and its readiness to approve the 2027 state budget. "Dismissing a cabinet member purely for party reasons could lead to destabilisation and the loss of a governing majority in Parliament," added the prime minister. jrg