Košice to Build Subsidized Housing in City Center Despite Bypassing Competition Winner

The city of Košice will proceed with construction of subsidized rental housing in the city center, named after Prime Minister Robert Fico, despite controversy over the project's procurement process. The municipal government bypassed the winner of the original competition and inflated the number of planned housing units. City officials defended the decision, claiming the original winning proposal was not economically viable. The project reflects Slovakia's broader push for affordable housing solutions in urban centers, though the naming choice and procurement irregularities have drawn attention to the politically sensitive nature of housing policy.