SaS: Government Took €200 million from Local Authorities, It's Scam on Regions

Kosice, 20 June (TASR) - The opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party has criticised the government's decision to "quietly freeze €200 million earmarked for the development of local authorities", with MP Vladimir Ledecky (SaS) describing it as an unacceptable move that threatens dozens of prepared projects in the regions and disqualifies local authorities ready to effectively draw on EU funds. The party has called on the government not to "gamble" with the prepared projects and immediately reconsider its decision. The MP said that in the past, as state secretary at the Informatisation and Regional Development Ministry, he introduced a system of integrated territorial investments, inspired by countries such as Poland and the Czech Republic. "The principle was clear, local authorities agreed in advance, prepared projects and only those that were ready and could guarantee implementation would draw [the funds]. Everything was efficient and rational. Now that everything is ready and the first call could be announced, the government quietly took €200 million without discussion and consultation with the Slovak Towns and Villages Association, self-governing regions and partners from the Slovak Towns Union. This is a blatant fraud on local authorities and their citizens," he emphasised. Kosice vice-mayor Marcel Giboda also considers the government's move to be very unfortunate. "The integrated strategy in Kosice should have resulted in a benefit of €158 million, including the co-financing of the municipality and the state, with €133 million directly from EU funds. Today we have 87 percent of the plans ready and they can be launched immediately. If the government stops this, it will commit an economic crime against our citizens," he stressed. am/mcs