Progressive Slovakia financing controversy

In late July 2026, media reports revealed that Ivan Korčok, deputy chair of Progressive Slovakia, received nearly €70,000 in payments routed through a limited company owned by his wife. The party said the arrangement complied with the law and that the remuneration matched a parliamentary salary. Korčok said the company was now inactive and that he would soon create a personal freelance activity to receive party funds directly, citing transparency concerns.

Two days later, the issue resurfaced in parliament. Opposition members highlighted that the same firm, EUSTRA s.r.o., had been paid almost €68,000 for travel and program work, and that an earlier payment of €194,000 had been made before Korčok’s presidential campaign. Smer-SSD MPs questioned the mandate for Korčok’s European trips and the source of the larger payment, while also accusing liberal media of failing to report on the issue.

By early August, Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Šimečka defended the party during a campaign tour. While admitting the party made a mistake regarding the payment method, Šimečka argued the situation should not be compared to the practices of the Smer party. He addressed critics who suggested the arrangement was a form of tax avoidance, maintaining the party's stance on the legality of the remuneration.

By August 10, Labor Minister Erik Tomáš indicated that investigations by the Labor Inspectorate and the Financial Administration may examine whether Korčok’s compensation scheme complied with legal requirements. Tomáš suggested Korčok should have been employed under a standard labor contract rather than as a self-employed individual to ensure proper tax and social insurance contributions. Separately, Martin M. Šimečko, father of the Progressive Slovakia leader, criticized the government, claiming the state has focused on harassing citizens through aggressive inspections by the Financial Administration.