Slovakia’s Central Bank Governor Faces New Bribery Allegations: A Resurgence of Corruption Scandals?
The Slovak Republic’s central bank governor, Peter Kazimir, is once again entangled in bribery allegations. The latest charge dates back to his time as finance minister and has prompted Kazimir to vehemently deny any wrongdoing.
Background
Kazimir served as Slovakia’s finance minister from 2012 to 2019 under the centre-left government of the Smer party. As a member of the European Central Bank (ECB) governing council, he finds himself in the spotlight of a high-profile corruption inquiry.
New Allegations
The Slovak Prosecutor’s Office has made a new allegation regarding a bribe Kazimir is accused of providing to a senior tax official. Kazimir has publicly refuted the claims, stating:
“This allegation that I bribed a senior tax official is an absolute lie. I have not committed any crime.”
Notably, the charge was initially dismissed by the Special Prosecutor’s Office in June and later revived by the National Criminal Agency, causing Kazimir’s legal team to express their discontent with the decision.
History of Corruption in Slovakia
Corruption has long posed a challenge to Slovakia, leading to the demise of several governments due to financial scandals. Since the Smer party came to power in 2012, the country has witnessed numerous corruption allegations and cases.
- In a recent case, former head of the tax administration, Frantisek Imrecze, is under investigation in several cases and is cooperating with police.
- Kazimir was initially implicated in the “Mytnik operation” into corruption in the procurement of large IT systems for the financial administration. However, the case was dropped due to the sole dependence on Imrecze’s evidence.
The EU’s Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) Investigation
Imrecze faces charges related to alleged fraud within EU customs regulations. OLAF discovered a suspected scheme of under-valued textile imports entering the EU from China, potentially resulting in significant losses to the EU in the form of unpaid customs fees and sales tax.
A Tragic Turning Point: The Murder of Investigative Journalist Jan Kuciak
In February 2018, investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kusnirova, were murdered. Kuciak had previously reported on corrupt businessmen, sparking waves of public protests that ultimately led to the downfall of Slovakia’s Prime Minister, Robert Fico, and the Chief of Police.
Impact on Slovakia’s Fight Against Corruption
With the revival of Kazimir’s bribery allegations, the people of Slovakia are left questioning whether the country has made significant progress in its attempts to eradicate systemic corruption. Only time will tell if this latest scandal will add to the mounting pressure to hold those in power accountable and demand stricter anti-corruption measures.
Conclusion
The recent allegations against Peter Kazimir have raised concerns about the resilience of corruption in Slovakia. As the country continues to grapple with these scandals, it is essential for authorities to take decisive action to hold perpetrators accountable and implement effective anti-corruption measures to restore public trust.