ZAGREB, February 28, 2019 - The parliamentary European Affairs Committee on Wednesday supported, by a majority vote and one vote against, MEP Ivana Maletić's (HDZ) candidacy for a member of the European Court of Auditors in the period from 2019 to 2025, with Maletić saying that she would freeze her membership in the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) for that period.
The only vote against was cast by independent MP Marin Škibola, who asked Maletić whether it was fair that she be appointed by "political decree without any selection process or test of her competence."
Maletić has been nominated by the government and parliament has to confirm that decision.
Maletić will be interviewed by the European Parliament and has to obtain approval from the European Council.
Speaking to the press, Maletić said that this was "an important step forward" in her professional career.
The Court of Auditors deals with financial audits, efficiency and compliance audits, special reports, such as reports on the new multi-annual financial framework, and regulations on EU funds, she said.
Maletić denied that she was in fact nominated due to inter-party disputes with Andrej Plenković and was in fact being marginalised by the party.
She added that when she took up the new position, she would freeze her membership in the HDZ.
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