SaS Blasts Interior Ministry for Plan to Buy 50 Luxury Cars for Over €5 million

Bratislava, 22 October (TASR) – The Interior Ministry plans to purchase 50 luxury vehicles worth over €5.1 million, with the new fleet expected to include 30 SUVs and 20 limousines, MP Martina Bajo Holeckova (Freedom and Solidarity/SaS) reported at a press conference on Wednesday, criticising the purchase as overpriced. "Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) is set to acquire 30 luxury SUVs for the ministry's needs at a cost of €2.7 million. That comes to €90,000 per vehicle. Based on the procurement description, it appears they are planning to buy 30 fully equipped BMW X5s," said Bajo Holeckova. She questioned whether such vehicles are necessary for the state at this time. The MP highlighted that the purchase is taking place during a period of fiscal consolidation, when the government is urging people to save money. MP Juraj Krupa (SaS) added that the 20 limousines are estimated to cost around two million euros. Ten of the cars are to be diesel-powered and ten petrol-powered. According to Krupa, the limousines are intended for 'VIPs'. "It's supposedly for the Office for the Protection of Constitutional Officials. But those guys with the badges won't be the ones riding in them – it will probably be someone else," remarked Krupa . He also called for Sutaj Estok to explain the ministry's purchases before a parliamentary committee. Bajo Holeckova also pointed out that Freedom and Solidarity has submitted a bill to Parliament that would cap spending on vehicles for the president, prime minister, ministries, and state offices. "If our proposal had passed, they wouldn't be buying these 50 luxury cars for €5.1 million, but for €2.4 million," she added. mf/df