BRATISLAVA, August 6, (WEBNOVINY) – Supreme Court President Stefan Harabin claims that even after events which he labeled a political campaign, he does not have a problem meeting with Finance Minister Ivan Miklos. However, Harabin conditions the meeting on the presence of ombudsman Pavol Kandrac and General Prosecutor Dobroslav Trnka. “It is enough if the finance minister stops lying, break the law, and shamelessly attack the independence of the judiciary with the aim to liquidate its economic independence,” Harabin stated. On Thursday, Miklos said that if it is necessary, he is ready to personally meet with Harabin in regards to the government audit at the court, which Harabin has been refusing to allow.
The Finance Ministry has been unsuccessfully trying to carry out a planned financial audit at the Supreme Court since last Thursday. Harabin initially thwarted the audit by questioning the date on the mandate to the audit, although the audit was postponed based on the court’s request, according to Miklos. Later, Harabin claimed that in line with a resolution of the Slovak Constitutional Court, an executive political power, such as the Finance Ministry, may not carry out an audit at the Supreme Court. Instead, Harabin asked the Supreme Audit Office to carry out the audit. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Finance Ministry’s efforts at the court were unsuccessful again.