Unsuccessful presidential candidate and member of the opposition movement Progresívne Slovensko Ivan Korčok emphasized that neither he nor his team have ever offered anyone any financial compensation for expressing their support. The police confirmed that they are looking into the campaign finance case. He was alluding to the scandal surrounding President Petr Pellegrini, who faces suspicion of illegal financing of the presidential campaign. You can read the president’s reaction.
- Ivan Korčok denies that his presidential campaign is buying public support.
- President Peter Pellegrini faces suspicions of illegal financing of the presidential campaign.
- Korčok reminds that Pellegrini has already been fined for violating financing rules.
- The anti-corruption unit of the police is investigating the financing of Pellegrini’s campaign, but the details have not yet been released.
- Tens of thousands of euros should have been offered to influencers for their hidden support of Pellegrini on social networks.
“His supporter talks about the fact that there was an agency behind her that gave her money. In addition, she offered money for others as an expression of public support. The president owes us all an answer to the question of where the funds he obviously gave to influencers are reported, and where we can find them on the transparent account“, said Korčok.
Reminds that Pellegrini has already received one fine for violating the rules of financing his presidential campaign. “It is very sad that after two years of the president’s mandate, his only record is that we are talking here about how he actually got to the Presidential Palace“, added Korčok.
The police confirmed for TASR that the case of Pellegrini’s campaign financing is being dealt with by the anti-corruption unit of the Office of the Fight Against Organized Crime of the Presidium of the Police. At the moment, according to the police, it is not possible to provide more detailed information, as it could disrupt or complicate the further progress in the case, especially when securing and evaluating evidence.
Suspicions regarding the financing of the presidential campaign were pointed out by Denník N. It reported that one of the influencers was supposed to be summoned by the police for questioning in order to check the suspicion. Two years ago, during the campaign, another influencer should have contacted him, who offered him 30,000 euros for supporting Pellegrini on social networks. A problem can arise if the influencer does not acknowledge the paid support on the social network and presents his statements as selfless. Also, if the candidate paid financial rewards to influencers and did not include them in election expenses.
