All opposition parties are calling on Health Minister Kamil Šaško (Voice-SD) to cancel the current ambulance service tender and start a new, transparent process. The parties are collecting signatures for his dismissal and plan to file complaints with the Prosecutor General and Public Procurement offices if doubts persist.
Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has also weighed in, warning that if the Health Minister fails to clear up concerns, the tender will have to be cancelled and restarted. Šaško is expected to address the issue at a press conference on Monday.
The tender, worth an estimated two billion euro over six years, will determine which companies provide emergency medical services across Slovakia. Critics – including the coalition’s Slovak National Party (SNS), Doctors Labour Union Association, and the anti-corruption group ‘Let’s Stop Corruption’ – say the process lacks transparency and could favour well-connected firms. President Peter Pellegrini has also stressed the need for the tender to comply with the law.
The Health Ministry maintains the process is legal and dismisses the opposition’s criticism as political fearmongering. It says ambulance services are guaranteed and response times will improve.
Source: TASR
