Bratislava – The Delegation of the European Parliament (EP) Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) intends to withhold investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education modernization, social service expansion, and energy efficiency for small and medium-sized enterprises in Slovakia. This announcement was made on Monday during a press conference by Interior Minister and Hlas-SD party leader, Matúš Šutaj Eštok, according to TASR.
“This situation stems from the negative portrayal of Slovakia abroad by our opposition, spearheaded by Progressive Slovakia, along with Igor Matovič and SaS party MPs. Their philosophy seems to be that the worse it is for Slovakia, the better it is for them. Thus, they are collaborating with European lawmakers and bureaucrats, as well as allies from other nations, to undermine Slovakia through Brussels,” stated Šutaj Eštok.
The party leader emphasized that this is not a typical monitoring mission. He criticized European authorities for their refusal to allow MEP Branislav Ondruš (Hlas-SD) to join the delegation, despite several requests.
“Moreover, the origins of this mission coincided with a moment when, after nearly a year of scrutiny regarding our criminal justice reform, my colleague, Deputy Prime Minister Peter Kmec, successfully defended our strong adherence to the rule of law and the safeguarding of European funds in Brussels,” he noted.
Šutaj Eštok also censured the delegation’s agenda, which begins with meetings with civic organizations and journalists. “Even though parliament is a state institution, this group is not initiating discussions in parliament or at ministries,” he pointed out. He believes the mission is driven by political motives. “We reject the opaque manipulation by the Slovak opposition and their allies in Brussels,” he added.
According to MEP Ondruš, the CONT committee’s mission represents an effort to exploit the authority of this body for political ends. He reiterated his frustration over being barred from participating in the mission. “This is not standard procedure in the European Parliament, at least not until now,” he remarked.
Responding, SaS Chairman Branislav Gröhling accused Matúš Šutaj Eštok of concealing corruption in Slovakia. “I want to ask, who misappropriated millions for properties? Who is accountable? Who is in charge now? Who has the authority to investigate? Who is covering these transactions? I don’t understand why Mr. Šutaj Eštok is so vigorously engaged with the European delegation,” Gröhling stated. (May 26)
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