KDH Seeks Kalinak's Ouster, Wants Investigation into Presov Hospital Contracts

Bratislava/Presov, 19 May (TASR) - The opposition Christian Democrats (KDH) will initiate an attempt to oust Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD) in Parliament over the construction of the new hospital in Presov, KDH MP Frantisek Majersky told a news conference on Tuesday. The party has also submitted a motion with the Public Procurement Office (UVO) to verify the construction oversight contract and one with the Antimonopoly Office (PMU) concerning the procedure for selecting five companies to continue the project. Majersky criticised the technical condition of the hospital section currently under construction, pointing to Kalinak's accountability for the progress of the project. According to him, the construction work is being managed in an non-transparent manner, making it possible to circumvent legislation in awarding public tenders for construction oversight. "Presov hospital is a breeding ground for awarding contracts directly, with €8.6 million distributed via direct awards of up to €50,000 or via three price quotes of up to €200,000," stated Majersky. According to him, five construction companies were subsequently asked, without a public tender, to continue construction work for some €260 million, thus setting a dangerous precedent. Therefore, KDH wants PMU to verify the legality of the procedure. "We want the hospital in Presov to be completed, but we want it completed in a transparent manner. [The use of] all money to be paid by taxpayers must be clear and understandable, as well as documented. People have the right to know where and to whom their money is going, as opposed to what we're seeing at the Presov hospital," noted Majersky. The SNP Central Military Hospital in Ruzomberok (Zilina region) withdrew from the construction contract with the current contractor on Friday (15 May), with a new tender to be held for completing the construction of Presov hospital, Kalinak told a press conference on Monday (18 May). On the same day, he signed a construction contract for Presov hospital with a company called In Vest and four subcontractors, including Strabag Pozemne stavitelstvo, Skanska SK, Metrostav Slovakia, and Hornex. jrg/df