The so-called bulletin-board tender at the Construction and Regional Development Ministry which would allegedly have benefited companies close to the Slovak National Party (SNS), the party that controls the ministry, is still a reason for concern among 40 percent of Slovak citizens, according to a new survey.
The Institute for Public Affairs (IVO) surveyed 1,017 adults from July 1 to July 7 on the case. 32 percent of those surveyed did not express any concern regarding the controversial tender. Sixteen percent did not register the problem at all and 12 percent were unable to take a stance on it.
IVO's Zora Bútorová told the SITA newswire that males, and people with higher education were most likely to be critical of the case. The sharpest critics were supporters of the opposition SDKÚ (62 percent) and SMK (53 percent) parties. By contrast, supporters of the ruling SNS were tolerant towards the disputed tender, with only 29 percent expressing concern about it.
A consortium, including the Zamedia and Avocat companies, which are reportedly close to SNS leader Ján Slota, won the tender and was awarded a contract worth Sk3.6 billion (€119.5 million). The ministry used a procedure for the tender which avoided a full public competition. The deal eventually cost Construction Minister Marián Janušek his post and the contract was subsequently terminated. However, the ministry had by then paid about Sk350 million (€11.6 million) to the consortium pursuant to the contract. The state is unlikely to get this money back.
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
