"This is what corruption looks like in Slovakia" - commented German MEP from the Greens Daniel Freund on the revelations called by the Slovak media "the Hacienda affair". In his video post on social networks, he says that the so-called guest houses, financed with EU money, are actually private villas for people close to the prime minister. Dozens of such villas have sprung up all over Slovakia, he specifies.
One of these properties is “Villa Amonra“ - supposedly a guest house in the suburbs of Bratislava. However, there is no reception there, but there is a swimming pool in the garden, hidden behind a high fence. The luxury mansion is owned by an entrepreneur who is on the local election list as a candidate for Prime Minister Robert Fico's party, writes the German public broadcaster ARD.
The beneficiaries are often linked to Fico
Nearly 200,000 euros from Brussels have flowed into this property. In return, the house was supposed to accommodate guests for at least five years, explains Ksenia Makarova from the Slovak foundation “Stop Corruption“. However, according to her research, “Villa Amonra“ has never been rented by guests, as confirmed by local residents. The owner has also not paid a tourist tax.
“Practice shows that the funds that were actually intended to promote tourism in rural areas have actually gone to the construction of single-family houses and villas for private individuals. And very often these people are connected to the ruling party “Smer“ and Robert Fico“, says Makarova, quoted by ARD.
The Anti-Corruption Foundation has filed complaints in Slovakia and Brussels. As a result, in mid-January, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) launched an investigation in Slovakia, and the European Public Prosecutor's Office also took up the case.
Nearly half of the “guest houses“ are under investigation
The program to promote rural tourism was launched ten years ago, when the country was still governed by the left-wing nationalist Robert Fico. Today, he is back in power. During that time, about 150 “guest houses“ have benefited from the program. Nearly half of them are currently under investigation, ARD also points out, citing information in the Slovak media.
However, Agriculture Minister Richard Takacs from Fico's party speaks of isolated cases: "There are always black sheep. Of course, we have to formulate the guidelines for assistance in such a way as to minimize the possibility of abuse. We are working on this issue," he assures.
People throughout the EU are paying for corruption
However, Zuzana Subova claims that the "Hacienda" affair is part of a long-term organized fraud with EU money. For many years, she headed the anti-corruption department in the agency that distributes European agricultural subsidies for Slovakia.
„Every EU citizen finances the luxury villas of corrupt politicians and entrepreneurs. "Germany pays the most into the EU budget. Therefore, Germans contribute the most to subsidizing the oligarchs' mansions in Slovakia," says Subová.
She hopes that the EU will put pressure on her and freeze financial aid, because investigations in Slovakia often fail, and people who insist on revealing the truth are often intimidated.
Subová has also been targeted: just before her hearing in Brussels, investigators in Bratislava searched her home without finding anything wrong. The activist is not deterred by such actions, ARD explains.