'Slovakia' Claims Ambulance Tender Has Been Completed, Calls for Explanations

Bratislava, 12 August (TASR) - Emergency Medical Service Operations Centre (OS ZZS) sent the official results of the ambulance service tender to the Health Ministry on Monday, thus completing the tender, the opposition 'Slovakia' party told a press conference on Tuesday, requesting explanations and urging the law enforcement bodies to start dealing with the case. "As the situation stands now, in line with the applicable law, the tender has been completed and this entire 'mega-fraud' has been finished with the results delivered to the ministry, meaning that no tender has been scrapped," said MP Michal Sipos (the alliance of 'Slovakia' party-For the People-the Christian Union). He went on to say that "an organised crime group has finalised this huge two-billion deal, with direct involvement of the Voice-SD party's top and leading representatives," adding that the money has been distributed already. The representatives of the 'Slovakia' party added that this was the reason why President Peter Pellegrini, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok and Health Minister Kamil Sasko (both from Voice-SD) are dodging the media now. "One has fallen ill, the second has gone into hiding, and Sasko, installed as a mere puppet, wasn't even able to face the public and answer questions," said the party's MP Julius Jakab. The 'Slovakia' party therefore calls on Voice-SD representatives to immediately clarify the situation to the public and urged Prosecutor-General Maros Zilinka and law enforcement bodies to start dealing with the tender. On Monday (11 August) Sasko said that as of Tuesday (12 August) he'll entrust the OS ZZS management to a new statutory officer, who will take all necessary steps to scrap the tender in the shortest possible time, and in full accordance with the law. In explaining his decision, the minister claimed that according to the first results of the analyses which he requested last week from OS ZZS, there was legal uncertainty that could have allowed different interpretation of the legal regulation of the ongoing tender. At the same time, Sasko said, the transparency of the whole process could have been jeopardised. The ambulance service tender is being criticised both by the opposition and the coalition Slovak National Party (SNS). The opposition parties tabled on Friday (8 August) a no-confidence motion in Sasko in this regard in Parliament. MPs are expected to discuss the motion on Wednesday (13 August) at an extraordinary session. Sasko declared that he won't allow any scandals or "rackets" to take place. Head of the Emergency Medical Service Operations Centre Marian Povolny resigned on Monday. jrg/mcs/mf