A CONSORTIUM led by Slovak corporate raiders Penta Investments that won a privatisation tender earlier this year for 66 percent stakes in the country’s two largest airports could fail to obtain the consent of the Slovak antitrust authority by the deadline, according to a local newspaper.
If the PMÚ antitrust body fails to approve the deal by August 15, the new Slovak cabinet will be allowed to withdraw from the sale, which was arranged by the previous Mikuláš Dzurinda administration.
According to the Pravda daily, three independent sources confirmed that the antirust office was set to announce on August 14 that it needs another 45 days to examine the sale, thereby voiding the sale contract.
The incoming, left-leaning cabinet of Prime Minister Robert Fico has opposed the privatisation of state assets, and has been critical of the airports deal in particular.
