Slovak opposition wants to can def min over military real estate scandal

Slovak opposition parties are calling for the dismissal of Defense Minister Martin Glvac, following revelations about alleged property swindles involving military real estate assets, the local media reported June 5.

“The opposition parties are also wanting to motion for the recall of Defense Minister Martin Glvac, but they would have to rally more support in parliament first,” Slovakian news portal The Daily.SK wrote.

At the end of May 2013, former top intelligence employee Vladimir Suchodolinsky publicly accused the military intelligence service (VSS) of property machinations on military real estate assets. Suchodolinsky said that he wrote a report about his suspicions, which was subsequently destroyed.

The alleged “property machinations” were carried out between 2006-2010, when then and current Prime Minister Robert Fico held office for the first of his two terms. The transactions may have cost the VSS millions of euros, although this has not been confirmed.

The Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), liberal conservative Most-Hid and Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKU), will push for Glvac to be dismissed. This appears unlikely, however, as a parliamentary vote led by the opposition, to probe the VSS scandal, was defeated in Parliament.