Slovakia's PM Fico under fire for luxury stay amid mystery trip
Two weeks ago, Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico travelled to Moscow under mysterious circumstances for a meeting with Putin. It is still unknown how he got there, as government planes remain parked at the airport. Interestingly, since then, his whereabouts have been unknown. According to media reports, he is likely holidaying in a luxury hotel in Vietnam.
Since the visit to the Kremlin, Fico has only been posting videos on social media, with the latest one appearing on Thursday. Slovakia's Prime Minister mentioned that Slovakia will lose 500 million euros annually due to transit fees, because of President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision to stop Russian gas deliveries through Ukraine. He also threatened to halt electricity supplies to Ukraine.
In the recording, he is sitting against a window with tightly drawn curtains. To his right, part of a TV screen in an ornate frame and a table with a telephone can be seen. A reader of Slovakia's "Denník N" determined that the video was recorded inside the luxury hotel "Capella Hanoi" in Vietnam's capital.
According to "Denník N," Fico is staying in the most luxurious suite of this hotel - on the seventh floor. The suite, as calculated by the Slovak newspaper, has an area of about 194 square metres. From its windows, it offers a view of Con Coc Garden, the old quarter in Hanoi, and Le Phung Hieu Street.
One night costs more than half of Fico's salary
One night in this luxury costs 6,203 euros. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Fico's salary - even after a raise, as the newspaper reminds - is 11,200 euros. "It is not clear how many nights Fico has spent in the luxury suite," added "Denník N."
Journalists decided to call the hotel and requested a connection to Fico's room, which the receptionist did without any issue. It was shortly after 8:30 PM local time, and no one picked up the phone. The receptionist advised the journalists to try calling later.
The Prime Minister's Office does not answer questions about Fico's whereabouts. Moreover, it hasn't even issued any official statement regarding his trip to Moscow.
The leader of the opposition party Progressive Slovakia - Michal Šimečka - sarcastically noted that the Prime Minister is enjoying luxury "befitting a social democrat," thus sending a lovely New Year's message to Slovaks, who have been facing higher VAT since January, impacting price increases.
- For himself, papal travels and lifetime pensions, for the people, expensiveness and chaos. Very well, Mr Prime Minister, we will ensure that all your disappointed voters are aware of this - said Šimečka, calling on the prime minister to explain how much he is spending on such luxuries and whether his salary is sufficient for it.
