Opposition: Government Reacting Inappropriately to Suspicions of EU Fund Misuse

Bratislava, May 29 (TASR) - Opposition parties the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) and 'Slovakia', For the People, and KU have objected to harsh criticism from the coalition regarding the investigation into the misuse of EU funds provided through the Agricultural Payment Agency (PPA). The government, instead of blaming the opposition, should focus on investigating the situation so that people do not lose trust in institutions in Slovakia, they said. "We want the Slovak Republic to be able to use EU funds to improve our towns and villages, balance out regional differences and support farmers," said MEP Miriam Lexmann (KDH), adding that the government's reaction to the investigation into the use of EU funds has been disproportionate. KDH emphasised that it is normal for a delegation from the European Parliament to come to Slovakia to inspect the use of EU funds, as it is their money that was provided to the country. First and foremost, the state should cooperate with European institutions and ensure that EU funds are not misused. "The pensions affair is clearly a Smer-SD one. And I must pause here briefly to say that I really don't understand the hysterical reactions of Voice-SD, which called this European Parliament delegation a punitive expedition," added KDH MP Marian Caucik, stating that this reaction leads to suspicions of corrupt actions by the government. The opposition underlined that it has repeatedly called for a parliamentary inspection due to suspicions of EU funds being misused through the PPA, but the coalition has always blocked all such efforts. They added that if the government has nothing to hide, it has nothing to fear. According to opposition MP Veronika Remisova (Slovakia-For the People-KU alliance), there are serious suspicions that EU funds have been embezzled in Slovakia, and because of this, there is a risk that the EU might halt funding for the country’s farmers. "The Agricultural Payment Agency is the most corrupt agency, and full responsibility for this state of affairs lies with Agriculture Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD) and the PPA director, who should both resign from their posts," she stated. mf/df