“I have no plans to resign”, Slovak central bank Governor Peter Kazimir, who is facing charges of bribery, stated in response to President Zuzana Caputova. Earlier on Wednesday the Slovak president said that she would very seriously consider resigning in his situation in order to protect the reputation of the institution he represents. On October 8, former finance minister and incumbent Central Bank Governor Peter Kazimir was charged with bribery by the Special Prosecutor's Office. The case is related to Kazimir's role as finance minister in the former government of Robert Fico.
According to Kazimir, his accusation is not directly related to the activities of the central bank. Meanwhile, he is working on a complaint against the accusation. “I haven't committed any criminal offence and I'll continue to fulfil my role as governor," stressed Kazimir.
The incumbent finance minister, Igor Matovic, stated on Wednesday that if it is true that the Slovak central bank governor has committed bribery, he should resign. However, Matovic said to the media that Kazimir could not be practically dismissed. "It must be his personal decision because there’s no way of dismissing him due to the immunity he has as NBS governor," remarked Matovic.
Ex-premier and opposition Smer-SD leader Robert Fico on Wednesday stated that Slovak Central Bank Governor Peter Kazimir is facing charges only because somebody needs his post. Fico said he would not resign from the post if he were in Kazimir's place. "He would be a fool if he stepped down. What for? For this fabricated story?" said Fico.
According to the Bloomberg news service, the European Central Bank’s Governing Council is no stranger to having its members facing legal troubles. In the past years, members from Cyprus to Latvia and Slovenia have faced charges or accusations that have raised complaints from the ECB of violating central bank independence. Under EU law, governments are forbidden from dismissing central bankers unless serious misconduct is proven.
