PS Lambasts Investment Ministry Over Freezing of Regional EU Funds

Bratislava, 19 June (TASR) - Despite weeks of public assurances from the Investments Ministry that not a single euro would be taken from the regions, 50 percent of flexible funding was frozen on Wednesday, MEP Lubica Karvasova (Progressive Slovakia/PS) staed after the government approved an update on the implementation of the Slovakia Programme as of 31 May 2025. The ministry claims to base its decision on data showing weak EU fund absorption at the regional level, but Karvašová says current figures tell a different story. “Of the €1.4 billion managed by Regional Partnership Councils, 62 percent of projects have already been approved, and this is expected to exceed 85 percent by the end of the year. Out of €522 million in applications, the state has approved only €193 million, which points to the state's slow processing, not regional inactivity,” she said. Opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) MP Marek Lackovic explained that municipalities manage over €2.4 billion, which has already been allocated to specific projects. According to him, the ministry’s decision seriously jeopardises some of these projects and puts their implementation in doubt. The opposition Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) also joined the criticism. “KDH strongly protests the government’s decision to strip municipalities of funds that are primarily intended to serve Slovak citizens, and rejects what it sees as unacceptable experiments by a government that has failed to effectively draw EU financial aid.” The party added that, as a political movement rooted in the regions, it firmly opposes the centralisation of power — something it says is now also reflected in how EU funds are managed. The Investment Ministry assured municipalities that they won't lose EU funds, explaining the money will return through new programmes or other support mechanisms. Minister Samuel Migal (Indepndnt) said the reallocation was necessary to prevent the loss of up to €700 million. lin