A so-called state energy holding should be created as part of the new energy policy, the public broadcaster RTVS reported on Monday. The step would be a reaction to a scandal in which energy prices were hiked up for many Slovak consumers, leading to the resignation of the chairman of the energy regulator URSO Jozef Holjenčík earlier this February.
An MP from the largest governing party, Smer-SD, Ľubomír Jahnátek thinks that the role of this type of state-run energy holding should not only be managing its shares but also actively participating in the supply and transport of gas, the completion of nuclear power plants and exports of electricity. "There are great challenges and threats ahead of the Slovak Energy field, that's what we need to prepare for in terms of financial resources. That's what should be the holding's task in my opinion." said Jahnátek.
Karol Galek of the opposition Freedom and Solidarity party is not against the idea of a holding as such. "We believe it should unite companies which are natural monopolies in a specified field. There is no point in strengthening competencies in making business on a competitive market," said Galek who is afraid, however, that without competent people such a company would only end up as a destination for political nominees.
The leader of the second largest party in government, the Slovak National Party, and Speaker of Parliament Andrej Danko said on Sunday that if the coalition fails to fix the energy sector, he and his party would no longer remain a part of it.
