Candidate for judge at the European Court of Human Rights

The Slovak Republic still lacks a third candidate for the nomination list for election as a judge of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). Branislav Jablonka, one of the three previously selected candidates, has withdrawn his consent to candidacy. However, the Judicial Council of the Slovak Republic must submit a list of three candidates to the Government of the Slovak Republic for election as a judge of the ECtHR.

Consequently, on 2 September 2026, the President of the Judicial Council of the Slovak Republic, Marcela Kosová, announced a repeat election to complete the list of candidates nominated by the Slovak Republic for the position of judge of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). The deadline for the submission of nominations by eligible nominators was 9 October 2026.

The Judicial Council has received two nominations for the same candidate for the election for the position of judge at the European Court of Human Rights. The candidate is Lucia Horvátová, a judge at the Regional Court in Trenčín.

“One of the nominations was submitted by Judicial Council member Peter Šamko, while the other was submitted by the Association of Judges of Slovakia (ZSS). Before the election, the electoral commission will assess whether both nominations meet all necessary requirements. The Judicial Council will hold the election on 10 November 2026,” explained Marcela Kosová.