Tomáš Zdechovský calls for EU probe into Slovak village playground funding

Czech MEP Tomáš Zdechovský has called on the European Commission to investigate the funding of a children's playground in the village of Havranec, Slovakia. The project, reportedly funded by the Agricultural Paying Agency (PPA), involves nearly 50,000 euros in EU subsidies.

Zdechovský, a member of the European Parliament's Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT), questioned the necessity, proportionality, and economic efficiency of the expenditure, noting that Havranec has a population of approximately 15 residents. He has also requested investigations by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO).

The MEP is seeking clarification on which specific funds and programs financed the project, the exact proportion of EU funds used, and the criteria applied by the PPA for approval. He further requested an inquiry into potential conflicts of interest or political favoritism during the selection process. Zdechovský urged the Commission to determine if this is an isolated incident or if other projects approved under the same mechanism lack public benefit or economic viability.