Good evening. Here is the Friday, January 10 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Land registry undergoes cyberattack. Fico blames Ukraine, but cites no proof
Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok (Hlas) speaks during a press conference after a meeting of the Security Council at the Government Office on Friday, January 10, 2025, in Bratislava. (source: Pavel Neubauer)
Land registry offices at district offices, which have been non-functional since Monday due to a cyberattack, are expected to gradually resume operations next week, ministers say.
At a press conference following Friday’s meeting of Slovakia's Security Council, Agriculture Minister Richard Takáč (Smer) and Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok (Hlas) reassured the public that no data had been lost, and citizens need not worry about sensitive information or property ownership being compromised.
As a result of the cyberattack, authorities and local governments have been unable to access ownership data. This has caused disruption, including complications for banks processing mortgages and authorities issuing building permits and parking passes in Bratislava. The opposition has called for Šutaj Eštok’s resignation, but he has denied responsibility, stating that the Office of Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre, which manages the land registry – also known as the cadastre – is not under his ministry.
The government officially informed the public about the attack five days after it occurred, and several days after it had first been reported in the media. Employees of the office admitted the attack on Monday to financial news website Finsider, but it wasn’t officially acknowledged by the Interior Ministry until Wednesday evening.
Minister Takáč reassured the public, stating, "I want to dismiss the alarming rumours spread by the opposition that citizens of Slovakia will lose their property and real estate," adding that all data was properly backed up.
The opposition’s claims have led to discussions about the potential involvement of fraudsters, but Takáč and Šutaj Eštok maintain that the hackers did not have access to sensitive data. "We have data, and we have backups. The data is clean and uncompromised," stated Ivan Ivančin, secretary of the Ministry of Informatisation.
On Friday, the government suggested that the cyberattack might have originated from Ukraine, although no details were provided. Takáč and Šutaj Eštok also hinted at this connection, and Šutaj Eštok noted, “A similar attack occurred in the Russian Federation, with indications we received from intelligence services, and the same perpetrator.”
This suspicion was echoed by Prime Minister Robert Fico during a parliamentary committee meeting. Previously, the government has voiced suspicion that Ukraine was planning attacks on gas and oil pipelines, but also cited no evidence.
The cyberattack on the land registry has sparked strong reactions:
President Peter Pellegrini called on the government to stabilise the situation and communicate with citizens, describing the attack as unprecedented and serious, affecting property rights and the real estate market.
The pro-Russian Slovak National Party (SNS), which is part of the ruling coalition, has demanded that the Ukrainian ambassador be summoned to respond to suspicions about the possible involvement of individuals close to Ukraine.
Opposition MP Veronika Remišová has called for accountability from government officials.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
Business: Slovak innovators are revolutionising industries with groundbreaking advances, from hydrogen-powered trucks to AI-driven ultrasound devices, and even flying cars, pushing Slovakia to the forefront of global technological development.
Good news: This week's fresh selection of feel-good stories has arrived! Builders have uncovered a hidden cave in Liptov and speleologists are in raptures, old Christmas trees are being recycled into library shelves, and Bratislava closed the recent Christmas season by celebrating the Three Kings.
Weekend: Explore Slovak culture, sports and fine dining, from guided tours in Smokovec to the Czech-Slovak pond hockey championship and after-dark botanical garden tours in Košice. Don't stay home – get out and explore Slovakia this weekend!
Oil crisis: Slovakia faces energy security challenges as Ukraine moves to ban Russian oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline, with significant political and economic implications.
Virus expulsion: As the HMPV virus spreads globally, experts are assuring the public that it remains manageable via use of familiar preventive measures, and is no cause for major concern. No pandemic threat is on the horizon, they stress.
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FEATURE STORY
Christmas around the world
Denise St. Peter (second from right), feeling festive with visiting family members in Vienna. (source: IWCB)
As the holiday season ends, members of the International Women’s Club have been sharing their unique customs, highlighting celebrations from Ukraine, the USA and Cyprus. Find out which traditional foods are eaten in which countries, where Christmas is not complete without sending cards and cookies to Santa, and what special cake is baked in Cyprus.
EVENT FOR THIS WEEKEND
You are a wizard, Harry!
(source: predpredaj.zoznam.sk)
Potterheads and music lovers, it's time to immerse yourself in the magical world of Harry Potter this Saturday! The Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra and Choir will take you on an enchanting musical journey, allowing you to become a wizard for a couple of hours. Don't miss this unique opportunity to experience the magic live!
IN OTHER NEWS
Nine senior employees of the Slovak National Gallery (SNG) have submitted their resignations in protest against what they say is incompetent management and chaos under the leadership of the interim general director Jaroslav Niňaj. Among those resigning are four department directors and other key staff members, who have raised concerns about the risk of the institution’s collapse and about reputational scandals that threaten international cooperation. The employees stated that the situation is unsustainable and that they can no longer be responsible for the gallery's operations. Further resignations are reportedly planned. (Sme)
The ePrescriptions system is now fully operational, allowing all medications, including those with full patient coverage, to be prescribed electronically. Health Minister Kamil Šaško confirmed the resumption by Friday, following Ministry of Health clarifications. The system had previously been restricted for certain medications due to changes in the health-care law. (TASR)
In Slovakia, the issue of a new system for collecting and recording data from churches is being addressed. According to census data, the number of believers is declining, while government contributions to the functioning of churches and religious organisations have been steadily increasing. From 2019 to 2023, 14 registered churches received financial support totalling more than €261 million, with the funding now linked to the minimum wage. Churches, regulated since a 2020 law change, mainly use funds for clergy salaries, and 97 percent of the subsidies go towards wages. The audit also pointed to outdated methods for tracking church data, recommending a more modern software system. Further support includes grants for restoring cultural heritage sites, with churches owning 26 percent of national cultural monuments. (Sme, TASR)
Nineteen days after appearing unexpectedly in Moscow, Prime Minister Robert Fico attended an extraordinary parliamentary session today to explain his trip to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. The opposition is questioning the transparency of the visit, as Fico did not inform the public or lawmakers beforehand that he planned to make it. Even on the day it occurred, confirmation first came from the Kremlin. Fico used his appearance to accuse Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of halting gas supplies and declared his readiness to block financial aid to Ukraine. The opposition criticised Fico for undermining Slovakia's foreign policy orientation and for inadequate negotiation in the interests of citizens. (aktuality.sk)
Around 2,000 people gathered on Main Street in Prešov on Friday, December 10, to attend a protest entitled 'Slovakia is Europe'. Several national and regional MPs spoke at the event, the Korzár daily reported. (source: Korzár/Michal Frank)
WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND: It will be generally cloudy to overcast, with some breaks in the clouds on Saturday in southern areas. Both days will see snow or snow showers, particularly in Žilina Region on Saturday and in the north and east on Sunday. On Sunday, there is a possibility of more widespread and persistent snowfall on northern ridges. Daytime temperatures will range from -4 to 3°C on Saturday, and on Sunday temperatures could fall as low as -5°C in the north. The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ) has issued a Level 1 warning for snow accumulation in certain parts of Slovakia, mainly in the west and north. (SHMÚ)
NAME DAYS IN SLOVAKIA: The coming days are big ones for the Malvínas, Ernests and Rastislavs in our lives! Saturday, January 11 is for Malvína; Sunday, January 12 is for Ernest; and on Monday, January 13, all those Rastislavs will celebrate.
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