PS: State Gives Senseless Bureaucratic Hurdles to Local Authorities

Skalica, 24 June (TASR) - The state is giving senseless bureaucratic hurdles to local authorities, opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) leader Michal Simecka told a news conference on Tuesday after his caucus took part in the talks on EU funds' drawing with mayors of towns and villages from the Zahorie area in the town of Skalica (Trnava region). He pointed out that local authorities view freezing of EU funds for them as the state's failure. Together with Trnava Self-governing region governor Jozef Viskupic, they also discussed the investor's intention to build an incinerator in Skalica. According to Viskupic, drawing of EU funds shouldn't be the subject of a political battle. "The local authority is 'working hard' and clearly deserves a correct partnership approach. It would be good if EU funds, which result directly from municipal or regional priorities were actually implemented, financed and, most importantly, if there was stability in financing. Changing the rules and taking money away from local government is simply unacceptable," said Viskupic. "We talked to those it concerns - mayors of towns and villages from all over Zahorie and they told us very clearly - the problem of local authorities is not that they don't have prepared projects. Just the opposite: they have stockpiles full of projects," said Simecka, calling on the government to change the situation. MP Michal Sabo (PS) criticised the project of an incinerator that an investor plans to build near the recreation area of the Bata Canal, which stirred a wave of disapproval among residents. Simecka also announced that the talks of the PS caucus in Skalica should also bring the election of a new caucus head. So-far caucus head Martin Dubeci has become the House vice-chair. ko/mcs