Prime Minister Fico Won't Divulge His Rent to Conflict of Interest Committee

Prime Minister Fico Won't Divulge His Rent to Conflict of Interest Committee

Bratislava, November 23 (TASR) – Prime Minister Robert Fico won’t be disclosing the rental sum he pays for living in Bonaparte apartment complex, owned by tax evasion suspect Ladislav Basternak, to the Parliamentary Conflict of Interest Committee. The motion was killed by seven coalition votes, with coalition MPs Peter Kresak (Most-Hid) and Dusan Tittel (SNS) abstaining and six opposition MPs voting for the initiation of proceedings.

The complaint was filed by the opposition, which suspects Fico of taking undue advantage in violation of the Conflict of Interest Act. This is due to Fico claiming that he pays almost €3,000 monthly in rent for a luxury flat at Bonaparte spanning 377 meters squared. According to the opposition, rent for a flat of similar size in the given location equals sums larger at least by €1,000.

Veronika Remisova (OLaNO-NOVA) wanted to inquire whether or not Fico enjoys an advantageous rent from Basternak in return for Basternak receiving a more lenient treatment from investigators looking into his tax evasion cases. The opposition also hinted that potential bribes might have taken place.

The coalition defended its Prime Minister and disregarded the accusations. “We’re not an investigative body,” claimed a number of coalition MPs.