Justice Minister apologises for his insults in parliament

On September 10, Justice Minister Štefan Harabin publicly apologised to parliament for inappropriate words during last week's extraordinary parliamentary session to debate his recall.

On September 10, Justice Minister Štefan Harabin publicly apologised to parliament for inappropriate words during last week's extraordinary parliamentary session to debate his recall.

However, he stopped short of a direct apology to his political opponent and predecessor, opposition Christian-Democratic Movement (KDH) MP Daniel Lipšic, to whom he had addressed remarks regarded as anti-Semitic. "I want to publicly apologise for my inappropriate words. Such words really do not belong on parliamentary soil … If I accidentally insulted someone in the heat of the moment, I apologise," he said in the parliamentary chamber, adding that he rejects any link to anti-Semitism.

The Justice Minister’s apology came after days of criticism from the local Jewish community. He did not, however, avoid criticism of Lipšic. Harabin said that he had always pushed for tougher penalties for Holocaust denial and said that Lipšic had approved the cancellation of such penalties. Lipšic has said several times in the past that Holocaust denial should be protected by freedom of speech and should not be considered a criminal deed.

On Tuesday, September 9, the opposition failed to pass a resolution condemning Harabin's statements after the governing coalition refused to debate it. SITA

Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.

Top stories

Bikers might love the Hell's Angels get-together, but most people are being warned off. (Illustrative Photo)

News digest: Hell on wheels? US Embassy warns people to look out for bikers

Night shift and weekend supplements to rise (slightly), new train schedules, and NATO partnership.


9 h
Jupiter (centre) and its Galilean moons: from left Ganymede, Io, Europa and Callisto. Juice with deployed antennas and arrays is in the bottom right.

From Košice to Ganymede: Slovak engineers are leaving their mark in space

Slovaks are active participants in two ongoing space missions.


20. may
During the book festival BRaK, you'll be able to talk to many authors, publishers and more. (Illustrative photo)

Weekend: Read on! Bratislava book festival is here

Architecture days, Košice meet Bratislava, horse riding and more for the weekend of June 2 - 4.


15 h
Záruby and Ostrý Kameň.

3 things to do in Bratislava for free in the next seven days

Come and enjoy the weekend of open parks and gardens or go on a hike with foreigners to Ostrý Kameň and Záruby.


1. jun
SkryťClose ad