Takac: Opposition Spreading Lies and Creating Impression of Corruption

Bratislava, 8 August (TASR) - The opposition is creating the impression of corrupt and dysfunctional institutions at their press conferences, thus increasing nervousness in society, Agriculture Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD) told a press conference on Friday. "The impression being created is that there's some kind of corruption here, that something is happening at the Agricultural Payment Agency (PPA), at the ministry, and at other ministries, and, of course, this naturally increases the level of nervousness in society. Pressure is building up, people are writing to us asking what on earth we're doing and and how we dare. And all of this is based purely on the lies presented by opposition parties at press conferences," said Takac. He emphasised that his ministry will respond to these lies and is planning to start filing criminal complaints. PPA general director Marek Cepko said that the agency's aim is to save hundreds of millions of euros that are at risk of being forfeited, adding that this is due to the former government not spending European funds in the period between 2020 and 2023. At the press conference, Takac also mentioned the scandal involving subsidies for guesthouses, explaining that inspections are being carried out in the case of active projects and that the ministry is cooperating with the European structures and law enforcement bodies. "If any shortcomings are found, sanctions will be imposed," he said, adding that a full report will be released after the inspections are completed. PPA is currently examining a total of 53 projects, with 44 having been inspected so far, said Cepko. jrg/df/ko