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Where is PM Fico? Ministers stay tight-lipped
Prime Minister Robert Fico (source: Sme - Marko Erd)
Not just on Wednesday but again on Thursday, Slovakia’s coalition parties – Smer, Hlas, and the Slovak National Party (SNS) – gathered to discuss ongoing instability within the coalition, among other issues. The Thursday meeting stretched on unusually long – several hours – and featured an unexpected guest: MP Rudolf Huliak, leader of the non-parliamentary National Coalition party, who is pushing for a greater share of government power. His faction in parliament has grown to four MPs this week, and if they choose to, they can easily disrupt Prime Minister Robert Fico’s business in parliament.
What, if anything, Huliak and coalition leaders agreed on remains unclear. It is entirely possible they reached no agreement at all. Still, following Hlas MP Roman Malatinec’s defection to Huliak’s camp this week, even some ministers have begun to acknowledge – some more openly than others – that a cabinet reshuffle to accommodate Huliak may be on the cards. Some, however, appear to be taking the situation with a sense of humour.
“It’s like Columbo’s wife – everyone talks about her, but no one has ever seen her,” Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák (Smer) quipped when asked about the potential reshuffle, as quoted by Denník N. He believes the situation should be resolved in the coming weeks.
For months, Huliak, whose small group left SNS’s parliamentary caucus last year and has been a thorn in the coalition’s side ever since, has been demanding a seat at coalition meetings. Until now, coalition leaders have resisted. Yet with the coalition parties Hlas and SNS having lost several MPs in recent months, Huliak’s group is also pushing for at least one ministerial post.
Which ministry they might secure remains uncertain, though it is highly unlikely to be the Environment Ministry – Huliak’s top preference. More plausible options include the Ministry of Investment and Regional Development (which could become vacant if current minister Richard Raši of Hlas moves to the parliamentary speaker’s chair), the Sports and Tourism Ministry, or the Culture Ministry – both currently held by SNS. The Investment Ministry, in particular, would align with Huliak and Malatinec’s stated focus on supporting Slovakia’s regions.
National Coalition MPs (from left to right): Pavel Ľupták, Rudolf Huliak, Ivan Ševčík, Roman Malatinec. (source: Sme - Jozef Jakubčo)
Why not the Environment Ministry: The Environment Ministry is led by Tomáš Taraba, with his deputies Štefan Kuffa and Filip Kuffa, all nominated by the SNS party. However, none of them is actually a member of SNS, despite entering parliament on its slate. If the coalition were to remove these three men from the ministry, they would return to parliament, where they could cause problems for the government. Given that Huliak and his faction are almost certain to remain in parliament to maintain their leverage over the coalition, adding another group of disgruntled MPs would only create further instability.
Why possibly the Culture Ministry: MP Malatinec has long been critical of Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová’s work – and he is far from alone. Experts, opposition figures, artists and members of the public have all voiced concerns. However, the real issue may not be Šimkovičová herself, nominated by the SNS party, but her chief of staff, Lukáš Machala, who is widely seen as the one truly in charge of the ministry. It remains unclear whether Huliak’s faction is demanding Machala’s removal in exchange for supporting the coalition.
Huliak’s earlier vision: MP Huliak outlined his idea for changes in government as early as December, saying: “The most comfortable solution for the coalition would be for Tomáš Taraba, Štefan Kuffa, Filip Kuffa and Martina Šimkovičová to return to parliament.” The SNS had technically lost the right to its own parliamentary group in October when Huliak’s faction broke away, leaving it short of the required eight MPs. However, the coalition circumvented parliamentary rules by having Smer temporarily “loan” an MP to SNS, allowing the party to keep its caucus intact.
A burned-down house: MP Pavel Ľupták, a member of Huliak’s faction, lost his home in mid-January after a fire broke out while he was on holiday abroad. Investigators believe the likely cause was an electric immersion heater used to warm a hot tub located near his property. Experts have ruled out foul play. Huliak, however, remains sceptical: “Our MP’s house burned down – this was no accident. No one will convince me that a €10,000 hot tub, full of water and unplugged, could set an entire house on fire,” he said in a recent interview. Rebel MPs have repeatedly complained about suspicious individuals monitoring them and their families.
Where is PM Fico: The prime minister has been absent from coalition meetings, and ministers have refused to disclose his whereabouts. However, even the premier has acknowledged the possibility of a government reshuffle. The last time Fico went silent, it later emerged he had travelled to Vietnam, where he met with Vietnam’s officials and, reportedly, also took a holiday.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR
The extremist’s new accessory: The Supreme Court has decided not to place far-right influencer Daniel Bombic in custody, despite prosecutors’ requests. Instead, he walked free – with an electronic bracelet and a warning.
New law sparks debate: The Education Ministry is touting its latest higher education reforms as a long-overdue step towards modernisation. But critics warn the changes could tighten managerial control at the expense of academic transparency.
Russian gas flows again: Slovakia’s state gas supplier SPP has confirmed that Russian gas deliveries have resumed. But there’s a catch.
Bratislava throws parties: Dust off your costume and join the fun for free.
Buried history: Cutting-edge aerial scanning has exposed forgotten historical sites.
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FEATURE
In the Canadian wilderness
(source: Courtesy of Rudy Bies)
Rudy Bies’ story follows his father, Ján, from Slovakia’s rugged highlands to Canada’s wilderness in the early 20th century. Born near Myjava under Austro-Hungarian rule, Ján endured war and hardship before emigrating in 1927. Facing language barriers and economic struggles, he later returned to marry Anna, bringing her and their daughter to Canada. They settled in Bradlo, a Slovak farming community, where resilience, faith, and shared hardship helped them build a new life while preserving their heritage.
CULTURE WAR
Shakespeare, Tolstoy and Moliere behind Slovakia’s alleged coup
In January, Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová accused several actors – specifically those critical of the government, including Šimkovičová herself – of taking part in an alleged attempted coup. She provided no evidence to support her claim, instead condemning them for reading statements aloud to audiences in theatres. “They serve foreign interests, they read whatever is put in their hands, and they pretend to be free-thinking individuals with independent opinions,” she wrote on Telegram.
The actors swiftly dismissed her claims but, on February 6, responded in their own way – mockingly “admitting” to being coordinated by foreign figures, much to the amusement of social media users. “The repertoire of the national theatre’s drama company naturally includes works by English, Russian, American and Italian playwrights,” they wrote on Instagram. Who are the figures allegedly orchestrating them? “Colonel Shakespeare,” “some Lope de Vega,” “a certain Tolstoy,” “Mr Miller from America,” “Alberto Moravia,” “some Gogol,” and “Molière from France.”
IN OTHER NEWS
The Let’s Stop Corruption Foundation has mapped the impact of sweeping changes to the country’s criminal legislation, six months after they took effect. According to its findings, the amendment has benefited 1,324 people: 446 were released from custody, 104 saw charges dropped due to time limits, and 190 were no longer prosecutable as their offences were decriminalised. A further 584 cases were downgraded to disciplinary or administrative proceedings. The number of corruption, tax fraud, and other financial crime investigations has plunged—by as much as 60 percent in some areas.
Tatiana Bayeva, one of the eight Soviet-era dissidents who risked everything to oppose the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia, has died aged 77. Just days after Soviet tanks rolled into Prague, Bayeva joined seven others in a bold Red Square protest, holding banners condemning the occupation. The demonstration was swiftly crushed, costing her her job and marking the start of a lifetime of quiet defiance. Bayeva later emigrated to the US but returned to Moscow. In 2018, she was honoured by the Czech Foreign Ministry for her bravery. Of the original eight, only Pavel Litvinov, now 84, is believed to be alive. (Radio Prague International)
Agriculture Minister Richard Takáč (Smer) is under fire for cancelling a €50 million grant call, with the opposition accusing him of mismanagement. He defended the move, citing corruption concerns. The Agricultural Payment Agency (PPA), which falls under the ministry, was responsible for the grant call. News outlet Euractiv.sk highlighted inconsistencies in his reasoning, noting that 722 farmers had applied for EU-backed grants. Despite calls for his resignation, opposition parties lack the parliamentary numbers to oust the minister. (Denník N)
“Take as many paracetamol tablets as you can, film yourself describing how you feel, and try to avoid hospitalisation.” That’s the disturbing premise of the so-called ‘paracetamol challenge’, which is once again spreading rapidly on TikTok. Hospitals in Bratislava and Banská Bystrica have already admitted several teenagers in recent months due to overdoses linked to the trend. (SME)
Members of the European Parliament will discuss the development of media freedom and the rule of law in Slovakia next Wednesday in Strasbourg, roughly seven years after the murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová. (TASR)
Young skiers inspect the course during the first Winter Olympics for primary and secondary schools at Štrbské Pleso on Thursday, February 6, 2025. (source: TASR - Veronika Mihaliková)
FRIDAY WEATHER BRIEFING: Expect a mostly cloudy to overcast sky, with the occasional splash of light precipitation – mostly snow, especially up north. Some areas might get a foggy surprise. Daytime highs will range from a chilly -2°C to a slightly friendlier +6°C. A southeastern breeze up to 30 km/h will keep things feeling fresh. (SHMÚ)
PARTY TIME: February 7 is Vanda’s special day, so if you happen to know one, don’t forget to send her your warmest wishes. Všetko najlepšie!
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