'Slovakia' and SaS: Government Proxy Dasko's Family Benefits from Subsidies

Bratislava, 9 April (TASR) - The opposition 'Slovakia', and Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) parties stated on Thursday that the family of Government Proxy for Roma Communities Alexander Dasko is alleged to have benefited from EU subsidies via a project for a civil association called Lavuta, which is represented by Dasko's wife, Olga. The opposition's criticism centres on a grant from the Slovakia Programme and the European Social Fund as part of a call titled 'The Unemployed and Inactive on the Path to the Labour Market'. In a press release, the 'Slovakia' party explained that the civil association - which Dasko founded and which he transferred to his wife, Olga Daskova, after taking up office as government proxy - received a non-refundable grant of €749,836 in November 2025 for a project called 'A Chance for Change for Inactive NEET'. "The stated goal is to involve 170 young people, though only 17 of them are expected to get a job. This translates to approximately €4,400 per participant and more than €44,000 per person employed," stated the 'Slovakia' party. "Furthermore, the contractual terms allow the project to be considered successful even with a significantly lower number of people actually employed. Thus, the risk is borne not by the beneficiary, but exclusively by the state," added the opposition party. At a press conference on Thursday, SaS joined 'Slovakia' in alleging misconduct regarding subsidies for the Lavuta association's project. "If this isn't a textbook example of corruption and cronyism, then what is it?" asked SaS MP Vladimir Ledecky at the briefing. Both opposition parties called on the government to dismiss the proxy and investigate the allegations that they have made. In response, Dasko emphasised that since taking up office as government proxy, he hasn't been a member of any organisation or civil association that has received public funds. He recommended that questions regarding the relevant grant should be directed directly to the civil association and the Labour Ministry. The Labour, Social Affairs and the Family Ministry has noted that the call in question was intended to support inactive and unemployed individuals, with up to €30 million allocated for its implementation. "Approximately 70 projects were supported under the call," said the ministry. Regarding the Lavuta association's project, the ministry argues that it meets all the conditions set forth in the call for proposals and the relevant legal regulations. "At the same time, the project underwent a transparent assessment and approval process conducted by external expert evaluators," emphasised the Labour Ministry, adding that the details of how the project is implemented are a matter for the recipient of the funds. am/df