Controversial newswire head will lead RTVS

The run-off was won by the candidate supported by the coalition parties Smer and SNS.

Jaroslav RezníkJaroslav Rezník (Source: Sme archive)

Jaroslav Rezník, the current head of the state newswire TASR, will become the new director of the public-service broadcaster RTVS.

He was supported by 95 MPs in the run-off vote that took place on June 20, while his rival and RTVS incumbent Václav Mika received only 50 votes, the SITA newswire reported.

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The successful candidate needed an absolute majority of the MPs present. The second round of the secret ballot was attended by 147 deputies.

Read also: Run-off will decide RTVS boss Read more 

Rezník was supported by the ruling parties Smer and the Slovak National Party (SNS). The number of votes indicates that he was also supported by some of the lawmakers from Most-Híd who had been critical of him prior to the first vote.

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The TASR head has recently been criticised for signing an agreement with the Russian news agency Sputnik, which is known for spreading Russian propaganda and hoaxes.

Mika had been supported by the opposition and by seven non-affiliated MPs associated with Miroslav Beblavý, the Sme daily reported.

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