Slovakia: SaS party raises concerns over public tenders and debt sanctions

The Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) political party has raised concerns regarding two separate issues in Slovakia. First, the party has questioned the technical specifications of a 5.8 million euro tender for fire department ambulances. SaS representative Juraj Krúpa suggested that specific requirements, such as a 139 kilowatt engine and certain mounting systems, may have been designed to favor a specific manufacturer. The Fire and Rescue Service (HaZZ) has rejected these claims, stating that the specifications are based on long-term operational experience and safety requirements rather than a preference for a specific country or brand.

Separately, SaS is calling on the government to protect municipalities from debt brake sanctions. Party officials, including Marián Viskupič, argue that local governments should not bear the consequences of national debt, noting that municipalities account for only approximately two percent of the total public debt. The party warns that applying these sanctions to local authorities could restrict investments, limit public services, and lead to increased local taxes.