Monitor: Fico Will React Firmly if Ambulance Tender Is Found Non-transparent

(TA3,'V politike', 3 August) If a lack of transparency or intentional misconduct is proven in the ambulance service tender, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) will respond decisively, MP Tibor Gaspar (Smer-SD) declared on TA3's discussion programme 'V politike' (In Politics) on Sunday. Gaspar rejected having the ongoing tender questioned based solely on opposition statements. „What the opposition is doing in this case is their standard presumption of guilt,” said Gaspar. According to him, it is premature to draw conclusions about the transparency of the procurement process while the tender is still ongoing. He noted that the Public Procurement Authority is the appropriate body to assess the process and its outcome. „If it turns out that the competition was purposefully manipulated, I can assure you the Prime Minister will respond clearly,” he stressed. Zuzana Mesterova, chair of the parliamentary caucus of Progressive Slovakia (PS), pointed out that leaked information surrounding the tender adds weight to suspicions of manipulation in the public procurement process. She believes doubts are further fuelled by Health Minister Kamil Sasko (Voice–SD). „Mr Sasko could have answered questions and clarified matters to MPs who convened the committee, even in a closed session, but he did not,” she argued. Gaspar also commented on recent proposals by the Slovak National Party (SNS), such as the scrapping of the transaction tax or reducing the salaries of the president and other constitutional and public officials. Smer will not support such proposals. „I see it as an attempt by party chairman Andrej Danko to score points on populist issues,” Gaspar stated. He conceded that such moves do not help the cohesion of the coalition, particularly in the lead-up to drafting next year’s budget. „Still, I believe Mr Danko understands the need to see the government through its term and prevent PS from taking power,” he added. Mesterova said the fact that coalition leaders are sending messages through the media shows what really holds the government parties together. „It’s the desire to maintain criminal impunity,” she declared during the debate. mf