Remisova Slams Government for Appointing Sako as Consul-General in Istanbul (2)

Bratislava, 8 January (TASR) - Opposition MP Veronika Remisova ('Slovakia'–'For the People' caucus) has criticised the appointment of Alexander Sako as Slovakia's new consul-general in Istanbul, Turkey, pointing to the fact that he's linked to a scandal involving plots of land near the site of Bratislava's planned new hospital in Vajnory, TASR reported on Thursday. She also recalled the case of former deputy premier for the recovery plan and a knowledge-based economy Peter Kmec (Voice-SD), who resigned last year and is now expected to become Slovakia's ambassador to Italy. "Just recently we've learned that Peter Kmec, who literally fled his post as deputy premier after a mega-scandal involving subsidies for cronies linked to Voice-SD, is heading for a cushy diplomatic post in Italy as his 'reward'. Now we're being told that Alexander Sako, who stepped down as head of state-run rail-infrastructure owner ZSR amid media pressure over a land scandal, is heading for the consulate in Turkey," said Remisova, lambasting the government for filling diplomatic posts with such people instead of seasoned professionals. The opposition Christian Democrats (KDH) have also joined the criticism. "Following Kmec with his scandals involving the Voderady outlet case and innovation subsidies, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has now granted a sinecure to the ex-husband of Economy Minister Denisa Sakova (Voice-SD), former ZSR director Alexander Sako, who wasn't capable of managing the railways and from whom the state purchased land for the new hospital in Vajnory," stated KDH. Foreign Affairs Ministry's communications department informed TASR on Thursday that Sako has become Slovakia's new consul-general in Istanbul, adding that he's entering the diplomatic service with many years of experience in strategic management, economics and public administration. NOTE: This story has been extended to include paragraph 4 jrg