Matovic: Smer Pays €4.5 Mn to Firms Linked to its Own MPs

Bratislava, 31 July (TASR) – The Smer-SD party used public funding for political parties to pay companies linked to its own lawmakers, with a total of €4.5 million transferred to three such firms, leader of opposition's 'Slovakia' party Igor Matovic claimed on Thursday. Matovic cited annual financial reports of political parties published for the previous year. According to him, these companies are allegedly connected to Prime Minister Robert Fico’s son (Smer-SD), Defence Minister Robert Kalinak, and MP Jan Mazgut (both Smer-SD). „Robert Fico entrusted these three individuals with €4.5 million from the state contribution received by Smer," Matovic stated. He added that the public can also view the annual report of the 'Slovakia' party, which includes a list of suppliers paid more than €25,000 last year. Matovic conceded that among the listed suppliers is former tennis player and one-time MP for his former party Ordinary People and Independent Personalities (OLaNO), Karol Kucera, from whom the party purchased a garage. Also mentioned was the son of MP Jozef Procko ('Slovakia'-For the People-Christian Union alliance). mf/mcs