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Fico will face no-confidence test
Opposition MPs during a press conference of opposition parties following an attempt to open the 27th parliamentary session in Bratislava on January 14, 2025. (source: Jaroslav Novák)
Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer) is facing mounting pressure after a series of controversies, including his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, allegations of an extravagant holiday in Vietnam during a time of fiscal consolidation, and a public clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over gas transit.
In a rare display of unity, all opposition parties in parliament rallied together against Fico on Tuesday, January 14. The previously narrow circle of collaborating opposition parties – Progressive Slovakia (PS), Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), and the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) – has now expanded to include former prime minister Igor Matovič’s Slovensko party as well as Demokrati, led by former defence minister Jaroslav Naď.
On Tuesday, these parties jointly announced plans to table a no-confidence motion against the prime minister. A total of 71 opposition MPs signed a collective statement accusing Fico of ingratiating himself with “the dictator in Moscow,” mismanaging the state – citing failings in healthcare and the dysfunctional land registry – and creating “a climate of economic hardship and chaos” for ordinary citizens.
Language: Political analyst Grigorij Mesežnikov, who was born in what is now Russia, wrote in his op-ed that the word “Бордель” (bordel) in Russian means a brothel, not chaos or anything else. “Robert Fico probably doesn’t realise that, unlike in Slovak, where the word ‘bordel’ has multiple meanings – both literal and figurative – in Russian, this word has only one meaning.”
One-time affair: The extraordinary collaboration within the opposition to express no confidence in PM Fico does not signal a lasting alliance for future challenges against the government. Michal Šimečka, leader of the Progressive Slovakia party, described the effort as a “one-time affair for this extraordinary moment,” reflecting the fragile and situational nature of the unity. Subtle details during the opposition’s joint press appearance reinforced this sentiment. A case in point: The outspoken former prime minister Matovič was notably absent from the spotlight. Matovič, recently in Vietnam where he posted a video critiquing Fico’s stay in a luxury apartment, stood inconspicuously at the back of the group during the televised event.
When: Peter Žiga, the acting speaker of parliament, is required to convene the session within seven days of receiving the proposal, though the exact date remains uncertain. To proceed, at least 76 MPs must be present, demanding the support of at least five coalition members to ensure quorum. Fico has pledged to attend the extraordinary session concerning his own removal and has urged coalition MPs to ensure the parliament is quorate. Due to foreign engagements, he proposed holding the session on Tuesday, January 21. In a typically combative statement, Fico referenced–without naming–Russian Marshal Ivan Konev, paraphrasing his pre-battle rallying cry: “A budet bordel!” (loosely translated as “It will be chaos!”). Over the weekend, Fico warned that if disputes within the Hlas and SNS parties aren’t resolved by March, options on the table include early elections or a government reshuffle.
Related: Efforts by Slovakia’s opposition parties to convene an extraordinary parliamentary session on the nation’s foreign policy were thwarted on Tuesday. Without the backing of coalition MPs, the session could not proceed. The opposition had called for the meeting in response to comments made by Prime Minister Fico regarding a proposed memorandum. The memorandum aimed to define “the content and quality of Slovakia’s foreign policy orientation.” However, opposition parties interpreted this initiative as laying the groundwork for Slovakia’s potential exit from European structures.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR
Rebel: A Slovak teenager refused to shake the president’s hand, and now the entire country is buzzing about his bold defiance.
This time, it’s about a book: Slovakia’s Foreign Ministry is under fire again, this time for a controversy involving a literary project gone wrong.
Controversial new chief: The Literary Centre has a new director, and it’s a highly controversial choice. The former director, Pavel Sibyla, was dismissed despite his contributions, which include helping to ensure that as many as 10 Slovak literary works will be published in English this year. Previously, only one or two books were translated into English annually, according to Sibyla’s December newsletter.
Iconic railway has a problem: One of central Slovakia’s most beloved tourist attractions, the Čiernohronská Železnica railway, is teetering on the brink of closure. The operator of the historic Horehronie gem has run out of funds to purchase essential fuel supplies.
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FEATURE
Upper Orava mayors have big plans to boost tourism
The church tower in Trstená is very unique. (source: Trstená Town Hall)
Travelling through Orava in northern Slovakia unveils stunning scenery but demands patience. Narrow roads, bottlenecks at Strečno, and slow-moving traffic near Tvrdošín challenge visitors’ resolve. Yet, the allure of towns like Trstená, cycling routes around the Orava water reservoir, and traditional crafts such as ceramics richly reward those who linger.
EVENT
Scandi film festival will bring Nordic hits
Award-winning films from Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Iceland are set to headline the 11th Scandi Film Festival, shining a spotlight on contemporary Nordic cinema while tackling pressing societal issues. The festival will run from January 22 to 29 across 36 Slovak cities, with Kino Film Europe in Bratislava serving as its hub.
The festival will feature 11 new titles and a slate of accompanying events, primarily hosted at the Pistori Palace. It kicks off on January 22 with Hammarskjöld – The Fight for Peace, a conversational drama by Per Fly. The film delves into the final chapter of Swedish diplomat Dag Hammarskjöld’s life, exploring his inner conflict between personal commitments and his high-stakes role on the world stage.
IN OTHER NEWS
POLITICS
The investigation into the alleged assassination attempt on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is progressing smoothly, with no reported delays, according to the General Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson Jana Tökölyová. (TASR)
The Council of Europe’s MONEYVAL (Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism) has published follow-up reports on Estonia and Slovakia, reassessing their compliance with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards. Slovakia has made progress in areas such as non-profits and virtual assets but remains only Partially Compliant with key recommendations. Of the 40 FATF recommendations, Slovakia is rated Compliant on five, Largely Compliant on 23, and Partially Compliant on 12. Both countries remain under enhanced monitoring. Slovakia is required to report on broader progress by December 2025 and provide an update on customer due diligence measures by June 2025.
On Tuesday, Slovak Deputy Speakers of Parliament Tibor Gašpar (Smer) and Andrej Danko (SNS) met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow to discuss the Ukrainian conflict and European energy supplies. Lavrov justified Russia’s actions in Ukraine by citing alleged rights violations of Russian minorities and broken agreements, while expressing willingness for dialogue if Russia’s concerns are acknowledged. He also accused the USA of attempting to sabotage the TurkStream pipeline through a Ukrainian drone attack. (TASR)
SNS leader Andrej Danko accused Poland of denying flyover permission for a government aircraft en route to Moscow, prompting a response from the Polish embassy expressing surprise and clarifying that incomplete Slovak documentation caused delays. Instead of submitting the required documents, the Slovak delegation opted for a longer route via Czech and German airspace. Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz downplayed the issue, suggesting Slovakia fly to Warsaw next time instead of Moscow. (TASR)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (r) and Slovak Parliament Deputy Speakers Andrej Danko (SNS) and Tibor Gašpar (Smer) during an official visit to the Russian Federation on January 14, 2025 in Moscow. (source: TASR)
BUSINESS
Slovakia exported over 13.2 million MWh of electricity to Hungary in 2024, accounting for 76 percent of its total energy exports. Ukraine ranked second, receiving approximately 3.2 million MWh. The data comes from cross-border exchange statistics published by the Slovak electricity transmission operator, SEPS.
The opposition party SaS suspects that talks in St. Petersburg and Moscow included a deal with Gazprom, potentially blocking Slovenský Plynárenský Priemysel (SPP) from suing the Russian company over interrupted gas supplies.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni pledged to assist Slovakia in securing gas supplies after the halt of deliveries via Ukraine, Slovak President Peter Pellegrini announced Tuesday. Pellegrini, on an official visit to Italy, discussed the energy crisis with Meloni during their bilateral talks. (TASR)
Bratislava’s Milan Rastislav Štefánik Airport saw a 7-percent rise in passenger traffic in 2024, handling nearly 1.95 million travellers–the fifth highest figure in its history, spokesperson Veronika Demovičová said. Antalya, London, and Milan-Bergamo topped the destination list. Košice Airport celebrated 100 years of commercial flights with a record number of passengers. Last year, more than 739,000 people used its services, marking an 18-percent increase compared to 2023. The most popular regular flight destinations were London Luton, Vienna, and Prague.
A view of the snow-covered High Tatras and frost from Poprad - Spišská Sobota, eastern Slovakia, on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. (source: Adriána Hudecová)
WEATHER BRIEFING: Wednesday brings a thick blanket of cloud, with many places set to see snowflakes making an appearance. Later in the day, it’ll be a more selective show, with snow popping up only in certain spots. Over in the west, as you descend to around 400 metres, expect a soggy mix of rain and snow–or just plain rain if luck isn’t on your side. Temperatures will hover between -1°C and 4°C, but in the east, the mercury may stubbornly stick between -4°C and -1°C. If you’re planning a mountain trek at 1,500 metres, brace yourself for a chilly -4°C. As for the winds, it’s a laid-back affair—mostly calm, or just a faint northern breeze in the west, gliding along at 5 to 25 km/h. (SHMÚ)
PARTY TIME: It’s Dobroslav’s day, so if you know one, be sure to send a hearty cheer their way–perhaps with a slice of cake. After all, name days deserve a celebration too. Všetko najlepšie!
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