PS Files Complaint Over Environment Ministry Security Contract

Bratislava, 10 September (TASR) - The opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party has filed a complaint with the Public Procurement Office (UVO) regarding the purchase of security services by the Environment Ministry, as it suspects that Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (an SNS nominee) circumvented public procurement law, TASR learnt from the party's press department on Thursday. "Taraba paid a private security company €700,000 in public funds between 2024 and 2026 based on monthly orders. It appears that the ministry artificially divided the contract in an attempt to circumvent public procurement law. Moreover, Taraba's ministry didn't even have any contract signed with the company, MR-Security. We're asking UVO to investigate this, therefore," said MP Tamara Stohlova (PS). She also pointed out that the ministry eventually signed a one-year contract with the company in August 2026, adding that this happened only after PS began taking an interest in the case. However, she wants the office to investigate how the contract was concluded. "The contract was concluded for a further €700,000. However, Taraba's ministry refuses to disclose whether other bidders were approached, as they are required to be in the case of a below-threshold contract, and whether the conditions were discriminatory. How can we be sure that the contract was not prepared as a favour for a supplier selected in advance?" asked Stohlova. mf/df