Good evening. Here is the Friday, August 8 edition of Today in Slovakia – the main news of the day in just a few minutes.
Health Minister Kamil Šaško (Hlas) is under growing pressure over a controversial €2-billion tender for ambulance services, as we reported on Wednesday, August 6. Concerns have been raised across the political spectrum about possible conflicts of interest among those awarding the contract, a lack of transparency about the process, and suggestions that some bidders – including health-care firm Agel – may have had advance knowledge of the tender outcome. Prime Minister Robert Fico has called on Šaško to personally defend the process or face its possible cancellation – although he hasn't explained why the minister's personal investment in the process, rather than, say, his observance of public procurement rules, should be the deciding factor. Šaško is expected to address the issue at a press conference on Monday, August 11.
Stop press: At an unscheduled press conference this afternoon (Friday, August 8), Šaško – citing the information reported below – acknowledged that the tender may need to be cancelled. He promised a decision by Monday.
Penta exits ambulance tender, citing serious transparency issues, as general prosecutor launches review
Some of the ambulance stations that Penta was interested in were also meant to serve its newest hospital in Bratislava’s Bory district. (source: sita)
Meanwhile, Slovakia’s largest private healthcare network, Penta, has withdrawn from the state’s controversial €2-billion ambulance services tender, calling the process non-transparent and legally questionable, the Sme daily has reported. The move comes amid mounting political pressure, media scrutiny, and now a preliminary investigation by the General Prosecutor’s Office.
Radoslav Čuha, CEO of Penta Hospitals, confirmed the decision in an interview with Sme, stating: “Yes, we have already done so — we submitted a withdrawal request on Friday morning to the Health Ministry. In simple terms, we have pulled out of the selection procedure.”
The group had sought 29 ambulance stations, primarily in western Slovakia near hospitals it operates in Bory (on the outskirts of Bratislava), Galanta, Dunajská Streda and Topoľčany. According to unofficial results, however, Penta received only four. The company issued a statement explaining its decision:
“We are withdrawing due to the non-transparent course of the tender, which has raised a number of serious and unanswered questions. According to the Public Procurement Office’s current position, the process appears to have been in violation of European Union law.”
The tender — worth €2 billion over six years — aims to allocate 344 ground and seven air ambulance stations. Allegations of favouritism, particularly toward Agel, Slovakia’s second-largest private healthcare group, and Emergency Medical Solutions (EMS), have been swirling around the process for weeks. Both companies are reportedly among the largest winners in the tender, with EMS said to have secured over 60 stations and Agel between 70 and 76, according to investigative reports.
HLAS PARTY CONNECTIONS: Both Agel and EMS have close connections to the Hlas party, which controls the Health Ministry and to which Kamil Šaško belongs. Media have reported that Oliver Baumann, the son of EMS owner Štefan Baumann, donated over €10,000 to Hlas and even ran as a candidate in local elections for the party.
Hlas MP Robert Puci, head of the party’s parliamentary caucus, has also confirmed personal ties with Baumann Jr, saying he attended his wedding.
Investment Minister Samuel Migaľ (Independent), who was a Hlas MP until being expelled from the party in January, claimed on social media that only President Peter Pellegrini can stop the controversial ambulance tender, not Health Minister Kamil Šaško.
BACK STORY: Pellegrini founded Hlas in 2020, and led it until his election as president last year. He said he would leave it (by convention, presidents are supposed to be above party politics) but it was later revealed that he remains the party's "honorary" chairperson. Migaľ called him the “grey eminence” behind Slovakia’s health-care decisions, urging him to intervene and end the ongoing issues.
The tender has been criticised by the far-right Slovak National Party (SNS), which is part of the governing coalition, as well as opposition parties, who have filed a no-confidence motion against Šaško.
CHIEF PROSECUTOR TAKES AN INTEREST: The mounting pressure has now drawn in General Prosecutor Maroš Žilinka, who announced via social media that his office has opened a preliminary review of the tender.
“Given the serious information published in the media and the suspicions of possible criminal offences, I have ordered a review of the ambulance tender,” Žilinka stated. “There may be grounds to suspect the violation of duties in the management of public property, which is a criminal offence under Slovak law,” he added.
While the review is still in its early stages, Žilinka’s intervention raises the stakes significantly. His office may later decide to launch a formal criminal investigation if enough evidence is uncovered.
Minister Šaško is scheduled to publicly address the controversy at a press conference on Monday, August 11.
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SPECTACULAR SLOVAKIA PODCAST
Bratislava through the ages: Castles, conquests, and the city built on stone
A painting of Devín Castle by Bernardo Berlotto, titled "Die Ruine Theben an der March" (1759-60) (source: Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien)
From ancient Celtic hill forts to baroque palaces and Cold War ruins, Bratislava’s history is written in stone. In the latest episode of the Spectacular Slovakia podcast, historian Juraj Poláček takes The Slovak Spectator listeners on a gripping journey through centuries of invasions, empires and resilience. Discover how the capital’s iconic castles, walls, and hidden corners tell the story of a city that has never stopped evolving. Read or listen now on SoundCloud.
3 FREE THINGS TO DO IN BRATISLAVA
Barre by the Danube
(source: Eventland)
Barre combines ballet, Pilates and strength training to tone the entire body in a single workout. Join certified instructors for outdoor Barre sessions on the final pier near the riverside Štefánik Square at Bratislava's Eurovea shopping centre and challenge yourself. Training is beginner-friendly and open to all. Do your body a favour and kickstart your day with some entry-level exercise.
Don’t miss our other two free experiences for this week, which are sure to grab your attention. Read on here!
IN OTHER NEWS
The Presidential Palace will host its annual Open Day on Saturday, August 30, from 10:00 to 17:00. For the first time, it will coincide with the Open Day at the Slovak parliament, giving the public a chance to visit both institutions on the same day. Visitors can explore ceremonial rooms, see security service vehicles, and enjoy activities from the Presidential Guard, Slovak Post, the Slovak Olympic Committee, and more. Entry is free and no registration is required. Full programme details will be published on the palace’s social media accounts. (Sme, SITA)
Slovak athletes shine at 2025 World Games – athlete Monika Chochlíková has advanced to the semi-finals in the 54kg category of Thai boxing. She won her quarter-final match on points against American Megan Mackenzie Washam, finishing 29:28 overall. Chochlíková described the bout as tough, noting her technical edge but admitted she got more tired than expected. Moreover, In archery, Jozef Bošanský won his first elimination round against Lee Eunho from South Korea but was narrowly defeated 144:146 by Israel’s Shamai Yamrom in the second round, struggling with windy conditions. Slovakia’s flag bearer Roman Hrčka placed 5th-8th in karate kata, losing all three group matches, including to world number one Kakeru Nishiyama from Japan. (Sportnet)
The 14th Grape festival, whose theme this year is sport, features Slovak bands like Para and Billy Barman, and will include Hex’s 35th anniversary concert. A new sports zone with volleyball, basketball and football will open at the entrance, alongside tournaments and the Olympic flame ceremony in the stadium. Olympic stars like Matej Tóth, Zuzana Rehák Štefečeková, and others will join talks and competitions with visitors. The festival also debuts fashion shows with musicians and dancers. (Sme, TASR)
Cases of syphilis are rising in Slovakia, with 738 reported in 2024, up from 714 in 2023 and 443 in 2022. Most infections (91.9 percent) were first-time diagnoses, primarily affecting men aged 25-34. Bratislava Region recorded the highest number of cases. Gonorrhoea cases fell slightly to 413 in 2024 but are still up over the long term. Most gonorrhoea infections were also among men aged 25-34, with Trnava Region most affected. Other sexually transmitted infections remain common, with chlamydia cases exceeding 1,000 for the third consecutive year, reaching 1,039 in 2024. (Sme)
Former Police Academy instructor Vladimír Šeparnev will serve the remainder of his one-year prison sentence under house arrest. He was convicted for shooting a student more than two years ago. The Bratislava City Court confirmed the decision, noting Šeparnev’s crime was due to negligence and that he expressed remorse. He must stay at home, wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet, and can leave only with probation officers' approval in urgent cases. Šeparnev was sentenced in October last year for causing injury and banned from teaching and owning firearms for five years. The shooting happened in March 2023 during shooting practice at the police academy. (SME)
Sport shooters (l-r) Filip Marinov, Diana Beníková, Danka Hrbeková, Zuzana Rehák-Štefečeková, Erik Varga, Nikola Molnárová, Jana Špotáková, and the director of the Police Sports Centre (ŠPC), Juraj Minčík, following the Slovak team’s return from the European Championships in Châteauroux, France, on Friday, August 8. The Slovak shooters won nine valuable medals at the European Championships (2 gold, 2 silver, 5 bronze), including two individual medals and four medals won by Zuzana Rehák-Štefečeková. (TASR) (source: Jakub Kotian)
WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND: Expect mostly clear to partly cloudy skies and high temperatures over the weekend. Some areas may see temporary increases in cloudiness during the day, with isolated showers and, in rare cases, thunderstorms. It will be very warm, with daytime highs ranging from 30°C to 36°C. Perfect weather for a swim, or a lazy afternoon in the shade – just don’t forget your sunscreen and water bottle! (SHMÚ)
Weather alerts
Saturday: The Met Office (SHMÚ) has issued a level 2 heat alert covering Bratislava, Banská Bystrica, Nitra and Trnava Regions. Trenčín and Košice Regions are covered by a level 1 heat alert.
Sunday: On Sunday the heat wave will cover most of Slovakia, with a level 2 heat warning in force for all regions except Prešov, Trenčín (level 1 alerts) and Žilina (no alert) Regions.
WEEKEND PARTY TIME: This weekend, Ľubomíra, Vavrinec, plus the ever-popular Zuzana (come on, who doesn't know a Zuzana?) are the lucky ones celebrating their name days. Don’t forget to send your best wishes or bring a treat for all the Ľubomíras (on Saturday, August 9), the Vavrinci (on Sunday, August 10) and, last but not least, all those Zuzanas (on Monday, August 11) in your life!
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