BRATISLAVA, February 8, (WEBNOVINY) — The privatization of heating companies remains an open issue even after the Coalition Council’s sitting on Monday. Prime Minister Iveta Radicova informed after the session that the sale of these firms will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. However she admitted that some of them might be privatized. The prime minister indicated that the privatization could be advantageous for some heating utilities if an appropriate strategic investor is found. Their economic performance under the state control is problematic, added the prime minister as they have sold their assets and lag behind in competitiveness.
Government’s privatization agency, the National Property Fund also is expected to table alternative solutions including potential privatization projects for heating companies, in which self-governments and counties could participate. The process further has to take into account the opinion of Brussels.
Coalition leaders would like to put an end to political nominations to management bodies in companies fully or partially controlled by the state. The prime minister informed that her team was expected to discuss a blueprint for rules governing selection, management and remuneration of respective bodies at its regular session on Wednesday. Radicova claims that the existing system of political nominations has turned out a failure. New managers are to be picked by selection commissions in contests observing exact rules. Also, the Cabinet will set out the new remuneration rules.
Radicova also said that the draft revision to the law on regulation of network industries will further be modified in the parliament. The expected changes are meant to guarantee the maximum independence of the Regulatory Office for Network Industries so that it starts fulfilling its duties properly. The prime minister wonders why the regulator approved the increase in power prices, when they declined in other European countries. She opines that the prices should have gone down. A revision to the law on regulation of network industries submitted to the parliament by deputies envisage changes in the organizational structure of the regulator as of April. MPs suggested replacing the chairman of the regulator by a three-member regulatory commission. Its members should be appointed by the Cabinet for six years.
SITA
