The situation at the Environment Ministry, now led by Deputy Premier (Knowledge-based Society, European Affairs, and Human Rights and Minorities) Dušan Čaplovič (Smer-SD) on an acting basis, is even worse than when it was under the supervision of Slovak National Party (SNS) ministers, said Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ) MP Pavol Frešo at a press conference in Bratislava on September 29.
"I thought that it couldn't possibly be worse than during the era of the SNS ministers (Jaroslav Izák, Ján Chrbet and Viliam Turský). They at least didn't have problems to open the door," said Frešo for the TASR, alluding to the fact that the ministry has blocked an MPs' enquiry into various controversial cases, including the sale of CO2 emission quotas at below value to Interblue Group.
Frešo said that opposition MPs called for an enquiry after Čaplovič took office, but it was given thumbs down by the governing coalition. He said he has tried to communicate with the ministry but to no avail. The ministry sent a reply to SDKÚ representatives, stating that they will welcome anybody who has some relevant proof (of wrongdoing), said Frešo, who views such a reaction as a refusal.
Čaplovič called on Freso to stop misleading and lying to the public as part of his campaign for the regional governorship in Bratislava. Michal Kaliňák, spokesman for Čaplovič, urged Frešo to submit proof – if he has any – rather than just talk about what Frešo claims are the disadvantageous contracts Slovakia has signed. TASR
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
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