Shocking Scandal: HDZ Minister Oleg Butković Paid Rimac’s Company €19.9 Million from State Budget in 2021 – A Year Before EU Approved the Robotaxi Project!
Is this corruption or just another example of taxpayers’ money being thrown down the drain? The Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, headed by HDZ member Oleg Butković, paid nearly €20 million to Project 3 Mobility, owned by Mate Rimac, before the EU officially approved funding for the autonomous robotaxi project. To make matters worse, the Ministry declared the justification for this payment secret, refusing to explain to the public on what basis the money was allocated.
What’s behind this mysterious transfer?
Project 3 Mobility was established solely for the development of robotaxis, autonomous electric vehicles of level five autonomy, a technology that experts say won’t be available for at least the next ten years. Although the EU approved state aid for the project in May 2022 amounting to €23.5 million, Rimac’s company claims it did not work on the project for two and a half years before that date, as otherwise, they would lose the right to non-refundable funds. However, the Ministry paid €19.9 million a year earlier, in 2021, contradicting the company’s official statements.
Rimac is behind schedule and not meeting conditions
Mate Rimac has not met the main condition for receiving non-refundable funds – delivering a level five autonomous vehicle. By April this year, he had not provided proof of testing 60 robotaxi prototypes, and the deadline was extended to October 2023. Despite this, the Ministry continued to pay, and the public has no insight into the contract details as they have been declared secret.
Transparency? Forget about it!
Index tried to get an explanation from the Ministry, but inquiries were ignored, and the justification for the payment was declared secret. After complaints to the Information Commissioner, the Ministry still did not provide the requested information. This is yet another example of non-transparent spending of public money in Croatia.
Why should we care?
Because it involves millions of euros from the state budget, allocated in this case to a company that did not meet conditions and is behind schedule on the project. While Rimac receives millions, public services and infrastructure suffer, and citizens are left without answers. Is this incompetence or something much worse?
Conclusion
This scandal casts a shadow over transparency and accountability in managing public funds in Croatia. While Rimac and his company enjoy million-euro subsidies, the public remains in the dark. Will anyone be held accountable? Will the money be returned? Or will everything remain in the shadow of secrets and political games?
If you have an opinion on this scandal, feel free to share it – maybe together we can shed light on this mystery! Or at least have a laugh at these “secret” millions.
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