Transport Minister Jozef Ráž Jr. (source: TASR)
“The time of us having money for investments, but permit procedures are holding the investments back for several years is nearing its end,” announced PM Robert Fico on social media.
In the spring, the government plans to put forward three bills that are said to accelerate large state projects such as the construction of motorways, railroads and water dams. These bills concern strategic investments, which are meant to be covered by a completely new bill, and amendments to two existing laws that deal with environmental impact assessment (EIA) and public procurement. However, experts have already pointed out that the intended changes can encourage corrupt behaviour and weaken people’s rights and the protection of nature.
“The three ministers - Jozef Ráž (transport), Tomáš Taraba (environment), Richard Raši (investments) - may join a group of people who have contributed to the development of Slovakia through faster investment projects with their bold proposals,” said Fico.
But public institutions and various groups, including non-governmental organisations, have already put forward 500 comments. Of these, 200 are the major ones. The most troublesome parts of the bills are already being redone, said the Via Iuris non-governmental organisation.
“We didn’t even expect them to talk to us,” said Via Iuris lawyer Ivana Figuli.
