Robert Fico during the ceremonial presentation of certificates to members of the National Council of the Slovak Republic. (source: SME- Marko Erd)
PM and Smer party leader Robert Fico has consistently avoided providing clear answers about his housing situation. This practice originated during his tenure renting a luxury flat in the Bonaparte complex in Bratislava from businessman Ladislav Bašternák, who was subsequently convicted of tax fraud.
The trend persists as Fico recently purchased a flat in a prestigious area of Bratislava, yet refuses to disclose the purchase price or details of the transaction.
This property, located in the Sokolská Residence in Bratislava's Old Town, was initially leased from long-time Smer member and MP Dušan Muňko. Fico has resided there for three years.
His total reported income over an 18-year span (2004-2022) is around €850,000, prompting questions about how he financed the purchase, given that the estimated value of the flat ranges from €750,000 to €1 million.
Fico had income from public functions - MP and prime minister - and for the last two years he also reported income from advocacy. The Smer leader was also an MP between 1992 and 2004, during which time he could earn an estimated €120,000. Fico represented Slovakia before the European Commission and the European Court of Human Rights between 1994 and 2000. However, his asset declarations for this period are not published.
Despite increasing public scrutiny, Fico remains tight-lipped about whether he paid for the flat entirely with his own funds or if he took out a mortgage. The property deed indicates no mortgage.
