ECB’s Makuch may quit before 2020 Slovak vote

Bloomberg

European Central Bank Governing Council member Jozef Makuch said he might not finish his second term at the helm of Slovakia’s monetary authority to allow the appointment
of his successor before 2020 general elections.
Makuch said there is a chance that the ballot will have an inconclusive result and that’s “the only reason” why he would consider stepping down before the end of his term in 2021. Opinion polls show the current ruling coalition, led by leftist Smer party, may lose its majority, while support for anti-establishment and euro-skeptic forces is growing.
“The new parliament may have a big problem electing somebody,” Makuch said. “The question is whether it wouldn’t be better for the central bank if the governor is elected before the election.”
Makuch, 65, was reacting to reports in local media that Finance Minister Peter Kazimir is considering leaving the government and may seek the post. The Finance Ministry has declined to comment on the newspaper reports, which didn’t say where they got the information.