No constitutional judges appointed ahead of elections

On Thursday, President Andrej Kiska announced he won't make a decision on the appointment of Constitutional Court judge candidates before the general elections on March 5. The Constitutional Court is currently incomplete. Its 13-member senate lacks two judges and one more member is to retire at the end of February. The parliament already elected candidates for president to choose from. Andrej Kiska stressed that he's obliged as the head of state to secure the proper functioning of the court, however he finds the candidates unsuitable. The president wants to change the situation at the court because "the judges themselves find many decisions of their colleagues arbitrary or against the constitution". Andrej Kiska also added that he has exhausted all constitutional options to contribute towards the proper functioning of the court. "Therefore, a solution must be worked out for which an agreement with the [future] Parliament is needed", said the president. However, Parliamentary Chairman Peter Pellegrini objected the action of the president. The court is incomplete and as Pellegrini stressed, "the decision-making process of the Constitutional Court might be blocked with far-reaching consequences. "He is displeased that Andrej Kiska is playing the waiting game until the election. From Parliament's perspective, the situation is clear and it would be good if the president appointed the missing judges without delay", Pellegrini added.