Matovic Calls on PS to Stop Making Communication Missteps in Projekt Forum Case

Bratislava, 5 May (TASR) - Leader of the opposition 'Slovakia' party Igor Matovic has called on Progressive Slovakia (PS) and its chairman Michal Simecka to avoid further communication blunders regarding civil association Projekt Forum, which is led by Simecka's mother Marta Simeckova, pointing to a decline in the opinion polls for opposition parties PS, Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), the Christian Democrats (KDH) and the extra-parliamentary Democrats. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Matovic said that the PS leader should unite the entire opposition to be able to replace the current government. Presenting opinion polls carried out by several agencies between January 2025 and March 2026, he added that the biggest slump in support for the opposition occurred after January following the publication of an audit into Projekt Forum. "The key factor for the decline was how the opposition leader and representatives or leadership of Progressive Slovakia communicated this fraud to their voters," said Matovic, adding that Simecka "raved" that no fraud has occurred and that it was merely an administrative error. The 'Slovakia' party called on PS representatives to start behaving responsibly towards the country and their partners in the opposition. According to Matovic, Simecka underestimated his voters. "If the opposition as a whole, including our party, doesn't join forces, we'll achieve nothing," said Matovic, stating that if the opposition leader makes major communication missteps, the current government will be "popping champagne corks". In its response, PS reiterated that Matovic is helping Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) in his attacks. "Whenever Robert Fico needs help with his dirty attacks, Igor Matovic appears and assists him faithfully. It was his chaotic government that helped Robert Fico to return from the political grave and form another government. Igor Matovic hasn't learned a thing; his primary focus is to get into the limelight," said PS parliamentary caucus chair Zuzana Mesterova, who provided a statement to TASR. According to her, Matovic and Fico need each other. "And Slovakia needs to move forward, without Robert Fico and without Igor Matovic," she added. A government audit into the use of public subsidies found shortcomings in civil association Projekt Forum, for which Simeckova — the mother of Michal Simecka – serves as statutory head. In March, police launched new criminal proceedings against Projekt Forum on the suspicion of subsidy fraud. Simeckova has responded by saying that she's never enriched herself through the association. She claims that on the contrary she went into debt to sustain the project. She admitted neglecting administrative matters in the association but said that she's prepared to face the legal consequences. Simecka claims that he has nothing to do with the case and that documents show that his mother committed no fraud either. He also confirmed that his mother is ready to face the consequences in the case of financial shortcomings. Simecka added that, as PS chairman, he has a fresh mandate from the party congress and will continue as party leader. jrg/df