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Vaccines called “filth” by MP Kotlár
Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer) and MP Peter Kotlár (SNS), the government's special envoy for investigating the Covid-19 pandemic, at the parliament in Bratislava on 26 March 2025. (source: TASR - Martin Baumann)
Peter Kotlár, the Slovak government’s commissioner for investigating coronavirus pandemic management, accused leading scientists of being “charlatans, quacks and frauds” at a press conference on Thursday, repeating discredited claims about Covid-19 vaccines and calling for Slovakia to halt the use of mRNA-based jabs by the end of June.
Citing a private analysis conducted in the Czech Republic by controversial molecular biologist Soňa Peková, Kotlár alleged that continued use of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in Slovakia constituted “criminal conduct”. He demanded that the government stop distributing mRNA vaccines “based on nanotechnology” and threatened to resign if his deadline - by June - is not met.
“I am challenging the entire vaccination effort,” Kotlár declared, questioning the purpose of Slovakia’s State Institute for Drug Control (ŠÚKL). “If I were health minister, I would fire the entire ŠÚKL,” he added.
In an appeal to Prime Minister Robert Fico and President Peter Pellegrini, he asked for an emergency meeting to “end this madness” and expressed readiness to destroy his medical diploma if the country signs the WHO’s pandemic treaty or fails to stop vaccination.
Watchdog: Despite Kotlár’s repeated references to an in-depth vaccine analysis, Transparency International Slovakia reports that the Government Office does not possess the document and did not fund it. The office claimed it had no access to the report. Transparency outlined several possible scenarios, including the possibility that the analysis does not exist or was financed by another institution, though this would require a different legal justification for withholding it. “The government seems to be playing hide-and-seek instead of communicating transparently,” the watchdog said.
Coalition: Although Kotlár is a lawmaker for the governing Slovak National Party (SNS), support for his crusade within the coalition appears to be waning. “Coalition partners are stopping me and asking why we’re still talking about this,” he said. “They just want peace.” Kotlár, who entered politics from the fringe TV Slovan network, claimed that he feels isolated within the coalition. Education Minister Tomáš Drucker (Hlas) compared Kotlár’s rhetoric to conspiracy theories about a flat Earth. Health Minister Kamil Šaško (Hlas) stressed he would “always stand by facts”.
Opposition: Opposition politicians were quick to ridicule Kotlár’s arguments, including his display of microscope images allegedly proving vaccine contamination. “This is Kotlár’s evidence. A picture. Drawn by hand. That’s it,” said SaS leader Branislav Gröhling, sarcastically encouraging citizens to “draw your own picture today”. SaS MP Tomáš Szalay warned that no studies show an increase in illness following Covid-19 vaccination. He expressed concern that Kotlár’s rhetoric could deter the public not only from mRNA vaccines, but from vaccination in general. “Someone needs to pull the handbrake,” Szalay said. “I understand his vote is important for the coalition to maintain a majority — but there have to be limits.”
Scientists targeted: Kotlár’s harshest words were reserved for respected Slovak scientists, including virologist Boris Klempa, infectious disease expert Peter Sabaka, and biochemist Pavol Čekan, whom he accused of being “blind, ignorant, corrupt puppets who have lost their sense of science, conscience and courage.” He claimed vaccines had damaged the “integrity of the Slovak gene pool” and likened vaccinated people to “genetically modified corn”.
Infectious disease expert Peter Sabaka (source: TASR - Jaroslav Novák)
General Prosecutor’s Office: Slovakia’s General Prosecutor, Maroš Žilinka, met with Kotlár in March and accepted his findings for further review. The case is now being examined by the Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Trenčín, although no formal action has yet been taken. Moreover, a newly formed working group composed of experts from Slovakia’s health oversight authority, the National Health Information Centre, the Slovak Academy of Sciences and the State Institute for Drug Control will evaluate Kotlár’s mRNA vaccine analysis. The panel is expected to deliver its findings to the government by 31 July. Kotlár, however, has said he does not trust scientists or doctors within these institutions and admitted at Thursday’s press conference that he would not share the full analysis with them.
Kotlár’s future plans: Despite mounting criticism, Kotlár remains defiant. He believes that “filth” is inside the bodies of vaccinated people. “I’m not afraid. If I don’t find support here, I’ll continue working with international partners,” he said, naming collaborators in Russia, the United States and Argentina.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR
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Absent: As countries thrash out the terms of a global pandemic treaty in Geneva, Slovakia has turned heads by showing up without a single health expert in the room.
Grip: Slovakia adds a new vertical thrill to its tourism map as the Via Ferrata – Sokolie Skaly opens near Zvolen.
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Slovak might not boast the vast word count of English, but when it comes to greetings and farewells, it punches far above its lexical weight. From “Dobrý deň” to “Nazdar”, the country’s rich arsenal of salutations reveals layers of history, humour and heart, writes Jonathan Gresty.
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IN OTHER NEWS
The Council of Europe’s anti-torture watchdog has raised concerns over police violence, excessive force, and substandard conditions in Slovak detention facilities, following its 2023 visit. While many detainees reported fair treatment, the CPT uncovered troubling accounts of physical abuse, poor psychiatric care, and excessive surveillance in some institutions. The Committee urged Slovak authorities to improve safeguards, involve patients in their treatment plans, and remind staff that ill-treatment is both unlawful and punishable.
An anonymous bomb threat was made on Thursday against MP Martina Bajo Holečková (SaS), just as she returned home from the maternity ward with her newborn daughter. Calling for civility, Holečková urged the public to “treat each other as human beings, even if we disagree”.
Slovakia’s Office for Slovaks Living Abroad has approved funding for 526 projects in its 2025 grant call, allocating a total of €1.71 million. Most supported initiatives focus on culture, science, research and education, with additional backing for over 30 information projects and more than 20 media activities. Of the 898 applications received, 243 were rejected, 96 disqualified and 33 withdrawn.
Slovakia’s industrial output fell by 1.3 percent year-on-year in February 2025, but showed a strong 5.2 percent monthly rebound, according to fresh data from the Statistics Office. The sector’s decline slowed markedly from January’s 5.1 percent slump, thanks to a continued double-digit surge in car production. However, steep drops in key industries—such as metals, machinery and electrical equipment—kept overall growth in check, with eight out of 15 tracked sectors posting annual declines.
The Day of Daffodils is a unique nationwide charity event organised by the League Against Cancer. This year marked its 29th edition and took place on 10 April 2025. (source: TASR - Jaroslav Novák)
Plans to convert a drinking water reservoir in Málinec into a pumped-storage power plant have sparked concerns about water safety for some 63,000 residents. A regional water utility warned that the project could lead to contamination or even a halt in drinking water supply, while the opposition Demokrati accused the Environment Ministry of lacking transparency. Minister Tomáš Taraba has touted the energy project as a magnet for billion-euro investments, but has yet to present it to the cabinet.
Prime Minister Robert Fico has appointed two new advisers — former Constitutional Court judge Milan Ľalík, known for his ties to controversial ex-justice minister Štefan Harabin, and Ján Grman. Dalibor Jurášek, previously responsible for “civil society” and associated with the conspiracy-leaning fringe, has left the advisory team.
Slovakia’s parliament has advanced a constitutional amendment that includes a clause recognising only two genders. The proposal, which passed its first reading with support from 81 MPs—including members of the opposition—will now move to a second reading.
Bridget Brink, the US ambassador to Ukraine and former envoy to Slovakia, will step down after nearly three years in Kyiv, according to the State Department. Her resignation comes as Washington recalibrates its approach to Russia and Ukraine, though no official reason has been given. Brink, a key advocate of military aid to Kyiv, had her initial resignation offer blocked earlier this year and is now expected to leave voluntarily in the coming weeks.
FRIDAY WEATHER BRIEFING: A mix of sunshine and cloud, with isolated showers expected. Northern and eastern regions will see more persistent cloud cover and precipitation, with snow falling in higher elevations — and initially at lower levels in the east. Daytime temperatures will range from 3°C in the northeast to 20°C in the southwest. Winds will strengthen throughout the day, becoming strong in many areas, though remaining lighter in the east. Expect severe gales at higher altitudes. (SHMÚ)
Peach trees in full bloom at the agricultural cooperative’s orchard in Čachtice on Saturday, 5 April 2025. (source: TASR - Martin Medňaský)
HAPPY NAME DAY: April 11 is a special day for Július, so if you know one, don’t forget to send your warmest wishes. Všetko najlepšie!
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