Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák during training at Turecký vrch (Turkey Hill), western Slovakia. (source: SME/Marko Erd)
Slovakia’s defence minister, Robert Kaliňák, has been fined for failing to declare a seaside villa in Croatia in his asset declaration.
The parliamentary conflict of interest committee ruled he must pay a penalty equivalent to three average monthly salaries in Slovakia – about €4,000, according to SME. The sum is roughly half his current ministerial salary.
Kaliňák, a senior figure in the ruling Smer party and deputy prime minister, admitted before MPs earlier this year that he had deliberately omitted the property, located on the island of Pag, from his declaration. He said the villa belonged to his wife and claimed he did so to protect his family.
The minister had faced the possibility of two separate fines, but MPs imposed only one, voting unanimously. Opposition parties, however, criticised the decision as too lenient, pointing out that Kaliňák had failed to declare the villa in two consecutive years.
Opposition MP Veronika Remišová, head of the committee, faced her own disciplinary proceedings after publicly confirming the villa’s existence to journalists. That action, initiated by Kaliňák, could have cost her a fine worth a year’s salary, but she escaped punishment after opposition MPs blocked the move. She later described the case as a political vendetta.
Critics say the affair highlights double standards in government. “This government forces citizens to pay taxes and respect the law, but its deputy prime minister claims he does not have to,” Remišová said.
Kaliňák has the right to appeal the fine at Slovakia’s constitutional court, but has previously said he would pay if sanctioned.
Remišová still faces a criminal complaint over her role in disclosing details of the villa. She has already spent four hours giving evidence to Slovakia’s organised crime unit in Banská Bystrica. She says she remains confident prosecutors will dismiss what she described as “harassing and absurd” allegations.
The committee is also examining other cases. SIS intelligence chief Pavol Gašpar failed to declare a Dodge Challenger involved in a recent crash, later claiming it was registered to a family firm in which he no longer officially appears. Media reports also uncovered an undeclared company stake in the Czech Republic. His case will be heard next week.
Last year, MP Peter Náhlik of the ruling Hlas party was fined for failing to list a villa in Bratislava. The property has long been used by Peter Pellegrini, now Slovakia’s president.
