Slovenian municipality's contracts with deputy mayor's relative declared void

Slovenia's Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (KPK) has declared 23 municipal contracts, totaling over 444,000 euros, void due to a violation of anti-corruption laws. The contracts were awarded between 2021 and 2024 by the municipality of Šmarješke Toplice to a company owned by a relative of the deputy mayor.

The municipality challenged the KPK's findings, arguing that the individual contract values did not exceed the threshold requiring public tenders. They contended that the absolute prohibition on business dealings with relatives, as stipulated by law, did not apply. However, the Administrative Court dismissed these arguments, siding with the KPK's interpretation, which aligns with established Supreme Court rulings.

Consequently, the deals are now considered null and void under the relevant article of the Integrity and Prevention of Corruption Act. The KPK has informed the municipality and the involved parties of this decision. To reinforce proper conduct standards for officials, the commission is publishing the full findings, including the involved party's statement, on its website.