Less public tender competition under Fico, TIS report states

A public procurement analysis prepared by the ethics watch dog Transparency International Slovakia shows that after Robert Fico and his government were appointed, the number of bidders in public tenders, as well as the average in savings in the bids, dropped. On the other hand, the number of transparent bidding competitions increased, but only slightly, the Sme daily reported on January 19.

A public procurement analysis prepared by the ethics watch dog Transparency International Slovakia shows that after Robert Fico and his government were appointed, the number of bidders in public tenders, as well as the average in savings in the bids, dropped. On the other hand, the number of transparent bidding competitions increased, but only slightly, the Sme daily reported on January 19.

While in the first half of 2012 there were 3.22 bidders per tender on average, in the second half of the year the number dropped to 2.85, even though having more bidders involved in a tender often means better savings.

Public procurements have improved but lower competitiveness between the first and second half of 2012 is a warning sign, the NGO states in an analysis, adding that the second half of 2012 is fell entirely under Fico’s oversight.

The office of the prime minister responded to the analysis by attacking the NGO.

“The evaluation by TIS only confirms that its Slovak branch, which is intertwined with the Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ), has been politicising in the long run and disparages the brand under which it operates,” reads the statement published by the PM’s office.

It also argues that Fico’s government faced no corruption scandals during its ten months in power and plans to improve public competitions via the amendment to the public procurement act.

TIS, however, dismisses all accusations. Its head Gabriel Šípoš told Sme that the analysis is based on “public figures that are easy to check”. He added that Emília Sičáková-Beblavá, a wife of SDKÚ MP Miroslav Beblavý who serves as a programme director of TIS, did not work on the part analysis regarding the public procurement.

TIS also added several recommendations about what should be done in the amendment to the law on public procurement prepared by the Interior Ministry. The Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák responded that they will read the recommendations, adding that “the ministry also wants to produce a law of the highest quality”, Sme wrote.

Source: Sme

Compiled by Radka Minarechová from press reports

The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.

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