PS and SaS Label Funds for Cyril and Methodius Celebrations as Sign of Elitism

Bratislava, 19 June (TASR) - Opposition parties Progressive Slovakia (PS) and Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) have criticised the €750,000 budget allocated for the celebrations of Saints Cyril and Methodius’ arrival in Slovakia as excessively high and a sign of elitism, also noting that this year the Defence Ministry is organising the event, whereas last year it was handled by the Culture Ministry. “This decision is a concentration of the absurdity of the Smer-SD party’s politics and the way they handle our money,” said PS leader Michal Simecka during a Thursday press conference. He added that this year doesn't even mark a round anniversary of the arrival of the apostles. He criticised the allocation of nearly double the funds for organising the celebrations compared to last year, despite the state needing to tighten its budget during this period of consolidation. Simecka questioned what the Cyril and Methodius celebrations have to do with defence. “I fear this is part of a trend we’re seeing, where [Defence] Minister [Robert] Kalinak (Smer-SD) and the Defence Ministry are increasingly claiming power at the expense of other ministries, areas, and projects that should be civilian,” he stated, adding that even hospitals are being built from the defence budget. According to PS, the government is once again diverting money meant for soldiers to unrelated purposes. “This is what elitism looks like in practice. The government claims to be saving, but the reality is different. While people struggle with high prices, medicine shortages, and crumbling bridges, the coalition is planning celebrations costing three quarters of a million euros — not to honour Cyril and Methodius, but to celebrate themselves. This is an insult to ordinary citizens,” stated SaS leader Branislav Groehling. SaS called on the government to stop misusing public funds for its own PR and insists that the money should be spent on addressing real problems faced by people, not on lavish events for politicians. The celebrations of Saints Cyril and Methodius’ arrival in Slovakia will take place on 5 July at Devin Castle (Bratislava region). Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD) doesn't consider the approved budget excessive, explaining that unlike last year's evening-only event, this year’s programme is full-day and aimed at the general public. In the evening, a ceremonial programme will take place from 9.00 p.m. with a live broadcast on STVR. lin