ACCORDING to liberal ANO leader Pavol Rusko, financial group Penta is de facto the fourth member of the current ruling coalition, led by Prime Minister Mikuláš Dzurinda.
Rusko asserts that Penta has assumed a level of power as if it were an actual political party. He also thinks that it was Penta who contributed to the stabilization of parliament when the coalition was facing troubles, the TASR news wire reported.
"Penta has great influence on the group of MPs around Ľubomír Lintner as well as in the ministries of economy, health and transportation," according to Rusko.
However, Penta sees no reason to comment on the "nonsensical" statements of Rusko, said Penta spokesperson Andrea Straková.
She said that Penta has never had any political ambitions.
"We regard Mr Rusko's comments as part of a political fight before the general election," Straková said.
Penta is a central European private equity company that started its activity in 1994. Its business activities on Slovak and Czech markets include acquisitions of big and medium-sized firms, their subsequent restructuring and increasing their value Straková said.
Based on information provided by Penta, the group has consolidated assets amounting to €600 million. In portfolio firms, Penta employs over 9,000 people and it provides services to some 2 million clients on a daily basis.
Compiled by Beata Balogová from press reports
TheSlovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the informationpresented in its Flash News postings.
