Nice Driveway!
An occasional column on life in Slovakia by James Thomson.
Pay to play?
Slovakia’s bureaucratic failings are making life almost impossible for many foreign residents – and costing the country dear.
The age of the bully
Trump and his Slovak admirers are growing ever closer.
Postcard from the east
In which your correspondent visits a library, and dodges a wolf.
The age of the bullies, and their enablers
The “heroes” of 1989 will not save Slovakia.
Welcome to the Ozempic economy
Does anyone actually have a plan?
Dangerous words
The SIS says some books pose a threat. But airport paperbacks?
Lord, won't you buy me a... Lamborghini SUV?
Whatever Slovakia's economic prospects, many people here are living well.
But what about the game?
The prime minister is shot. The country moves on.
Speaking clearly
Why Slovakia seems to pathologise "incorrect" speech.
Not the best of times
People in countries that should know better are being treated like serfs, not citizens.
Crash test dummy
Think of it less as the ship of state, and more of a dodgem car.
Back to the future
You know it’s Christmas in Slovakia when everyone on TV is wearing hose and doublets.
In America, we are all still Czechoslovaks
When politics and history collide, the result can be… well, confusing.
When disaster strikes
A rare earthquake reveals family solidarity and institutional weakness.
The devil lurks in the detail
As the dust clears following the September 30 election, some startling facts emerge.
Land of confusion - when winning is losing and shouting better than talking
A month out from the election, little is clear.
Slovakia is busy building cycle paths. Why?
To make urban cycling work, the attitudes of drivers, planners and politicians need to change.
Why do Slovaks sell their votes so cheaply?
Perhaps they're just used to being short-changed.
Big white liars
Some people still believe everything they read on the internet.
The Foreigners’ Police unlearns English
Over the decades, this Slovak institution has proved both durable and obdurate.
- Popular Bratislava recreation area to receive uplift
- News digest: PM not worried about worsening relations with EU, NATO partners
- Last Week: Fico went to Moscow and he has a new talking point
- Drown yourself in luxury with Slovak charm while visiting Bratislava
- Charges dropped against Fico adviser tied to organised crime case
- Slovak biofuel company expands from regional to global player
- Old tannery landfills in western Slovakia to be cleaned up after decades
- Slovakia find rhythm against Slovenia to claim first World Championship win Video
- Last Week: Fico went to Moscow and he has a new talking point
- Popular Bratislava recreation area to receive uplift
- News digest: PM not worried about worsening relations with EU, NATO partners
- Pay to play?
- Underground vampires are taking over Slovakia one rave at a time
- Drown yourself in luxury with Slovak charm while visiting Bratislava
- Charges dropped against Fico adviser tied to organised crime case
- UK appoints Bilal Zahid as new ambassador to Slovakia
- Last Week: Fico went to Moscow and he has a new talking point
- Pay to play?
- Underground vampires are taking over Slovakia one rave at a time
- Poprad, 'capital' of the High Tatras, named in top European destinations ranking
- News digest: 'Dear Kaja' Fico responds dismissively to EU over his Moscow visit
- UK appoints Bilal Zahid as new ambassador to Slovakia
- Slovakia misses out on key VW electric car investment
- Escape from the Slovak depression: Is housing in Austria worthwhile?
- Pay to play?
- News digest: PM Fico seeks alternative route to Moscow after Baltic states deny airspace access
- Last Week: Fico went to Moscow and he has a new talking point
- Underground vampires are taking over Slovakia one rave at a time
- Fico to meet Putin in Moscow, defying EU’s united front on Ukraine
- Slovak property prices rise at fastest pace since 2022 as cities lead recovery
- Wayside shrines of Slovakia
- Slovakia set to clash with Sweden on Ice Hockey World Championship first day
- Crowds flock to Slovenský Raj even before summer season begins
- News digest: PM not worried about worsening relations with EU, NATO partners
- Old tannery landfills in western Slovakia to be cleaned up after decades
- Slovak biofuel company expands from regional to global player
- Popular Bratislava recreation area to receive uplift
- Drown yourself in luxury with Slovak charm while visiting Bratislava
- Last Week: Fico went to Moscow and he has a new talking point
- Charges dropped against Fico adviser tied to organised crime case More articles ›
