Slovenia's parliament commission rejects former prime minister as central bank governor

Dx & Vx

14/11/2024 10:15

Nov 14 (Reuters) - A Slovenian parliamentary commission
on Thursday rejected the nomination of former prime minister and
finance minister Anton Rop for the next central bank governor,
but lawmakers will have the final say next week.
    President Natasa Pirc Musar, who is not a member of any
party, nominated Rop last month, dismissing the ruling
coalition's pick for the job, saying that Rop had the most
relevant experience for the post which runs from 2025 to 2031. 
    The coalition government had chosen Sasa Jazbec, the state
secretary in the finance ministry for two terms, as their
preferred candidate.
    Jazbec is a member of the main coalition party Freedom
Movement, while Rop served as a member of junior coalition
partner the Social Democrats.
    The central bank governor also sits on the European Central
Bank's Governing Council.
    Based on the commission's decision, lawmakers will hold a
secret ballot next week on whether to support Rop, who must
secure 46 out of 90 votes in his favour. The three parties of
the ruling coalition, which have expressed support for Jazbec,
have 52 deputies in parliament.
    If Rop fails to win parliamentary support, the president
will have to nominate another candidate from the six applicants
within 30 days.
   

 (Reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic; Editing by Ros Russell)
 ((daria.sito-sucic@thomsonreuters.com; +38733 295 484; Reuters
Messaging: daria.sito-sucic.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))