Former prime minister challenges president to TV debate

Smer-SD chairman Robert Fico is ready to give testimony about allegations of blackmail raised against him by President Andrej Kiska. Speaking at a press conference, Fico reiterated his claim that Kiska lied about the financing of his 2014 presidential campaign. According to Fico, Kiska's firm KTAG attempted to shift the costs for Kiska's campaign onto the shoulders of taxpayers via VAT refunds and tax evasion. This issue was investigated twice during President Kiska term in office, and was finally settled February of 2017 with KTAG paying the disputed taxes as well as a fine. However, the case was reopened only last week by the National Criminal Agency. Kiska has publicly stated that Fico was using the threat of prosecution as a tool to blackmail Kiska into naming him as Chairman of the Constitutional Court, and when that failed, as a form of revenge. The former prime minister said that he is prepared to debate the financing of the President's campaign with Kiska on television. A spokesman for Kiska said on Tuesday that the president is finished with Fico, and that any further communication will be conducted strictly through lawyers and law-enforcement bodies. Robert Fico lost the presidential election to Andrej Kiska in a second-round vote in March of 2014.