Simkovicova: I'll Submit Motion to Bar Funding for Political Rallies

Bratislava, 2 October (TASR) - Culture Minister Martina Simkovicova (a SNS nominee) plans to propose changes to ban using funds, earmarked for cultural support, to finance any marches or political rallies, TASR learnt on Friday. "I do not consider any march, regardless of who organises it, to be a cultural event," the minister declared in a statement, in which she also rejected criticism of the ministry over grants awarded to Bratislava Pride and the International Film Festival. "I reject having three years of the ministry's work assessed solely by two grants, for which we followed the applicable rules. Decisions taken out of context and political outbursts cannot be presented as evidence that I have abandoned my priorities," Simkovicova stated. She explained that the grants were awarded under the applicable rules of the Culture of Disadvantaged Groups funding programme and that an expert committee had recommended supporting the applications. "The queer political agenda is not and will not be my programme, and I disagree with the ideological message of both events. Disagreement with the organisers' views, however, is not a reason to reject a project," Simkovicova underlined, suggesting that in this case a rejection "could give Brussels an excuse to take billions of euros in EU funds intended for Slovak municipalities, roads and hospitals". In this context, Simkovicova asked why the European Parliament has included people belonging to the LGBTI+ community among disadvantaged groups. "Is it fair for people with genuinely serious disabilities to be placed in the same category as people who identify as queer? Is it fair for them to share grants with people who in fact face no obstacles to creative work?" the minister asked. She said that, for these reasons, she plans to propose changes to the rules to ensure that money intended for culture could not be used to finance any marches or political rallies, regardless of who organises them. "I do not consider any march, regardless of who organises it, to be a cultural event. This has nothing to do with art," Simkovicova said. She nevertheless again rejected any labelling of people and stoking of passions. mf