Fico and Uhrik Criticise Money for Open Society Foundation, Ministry Objects

Bratislava, June 6 (TASR) - The Smer-SD and Republic parties criticise the provision of a subsidy for the Open Society Foundation, which they associate with financier George Soros, TASR learnt on Tuesday. The Labour, Social Affairs and the Family Ministry resolutely rejected the allegations of calculated support of a single foundation. It also considers statements concerning the amount of funds provided to be misleading. "I'd like to ask the President [Zuzana Caputova] to officially comment on the decision of the government, which she formed, to allocate €21 million to the Soros' foundation," stated Smer-SD chairman Robert Fico, talking about creating the conditions and background for the elimination of the opposition. He also confirmed the convening of an extraordinary parliamentary meeting at which he wants to discuss influencing the election. Republic leader Milan Uhrik considers the subsidy to be outrageous at a time when Slovaks are falling into ever-increasing poverty and almost every sector is struggling with the effects of inflation and record price increases. The Labour Ministry explained that it allocates the funds as part of a national project financed via EU funds. A total of €13 million is earmarked for non-governmental non-profit organisations. The main intention is to contribute financially to expenses related to humanitarian and integration activities to help Ukrainians, which until now have been financed by local governments and NGOs from their own resources. According to a statement, the national project is a joint response of the state and the non-profit sector to the crisis situation. The project is being implemented by a consortium of six independent foundations led by the Open Society Foundation Bratislava. am/mcs