Select a language
In January 2012, when the “Gorilla” scandal hit the headlines, Anna Bubeníková found herself at the centre of revelations of corruption in Slovakia contained in intelligence reports published on the Internet and was forced to resign as director of the National Property Fund (FNM), where she was responsible for privatisation. Today, SME reports ironically, she is “the saviour of the euro”. For, as revealed by Slovakian television channel Markíza TV, she has been chosen to serve on a European Commission committee to oversee privatisation in Greece.
Anna Bubeníková was recommended to the EU in July 2011 by former Slovak Finance Minister Ivan Miklos. The government in power in Slovakia since March, however, is now calling for her appointment be reconsidered by the Eurogroup “due to ethical concerns,” explains the Slovak Spectator.
However, notes SME, the Slovak justice system has still not seen fit to question Bubeníková. Cynically, the daily writes that “if the troika [EU-ECB-IMF] is indifferent” to the allegations of corruption hanging over Bubeníková, “there is no reason it should not help the Greeks.” After all,
If the tempo of privatisation in Greece were just half the tempo of privatisation in Slovakia, there would be a good chance of saving the eurozone. [...] As stated in the “Gorilla” document, Bubeníková is very efficient. Selling off 50 billion euros of assets by the deadline of 2015 should be a cakewalk for her.
Receive the best of European journalism straight to your inbox every Thursday
Was this article useful? If so we are delighted!
It is freely available because we believe that the right to free and independent information is essential for democracy. But this right is not guaranteed forever, and independence comes at a cost. We need your support in order to continue publishing independent, multilingual news for all Europeans.
Discover our subscription offers and their exclusive benefits and become a member of our community now!
