Slovak Minister Tomáš Taraba Criticizes Costly Referendum and Announces €50 million for Hockey Arenas

Minister of Environment Tomáš Taraba said the recent referendum initiated by the Democrats cost the state €12 million and called for the party’s leaders, including Naď, Heger and Kiča, to consider leaving politics. He highlighted the low 16 percent voter turnout and labeled the vote a waste of public funds.

Taraba also announced that the government will allocate €50 million from the EU‑funded modernisation fund to renovate about ten aging winter ice‑rinks across Slovakia. He said the funding aims to improve energy efficiency of sports facilities and will be co‑financed by municipalities at a five‑percent share.