Good evening. Here is the Friday, January 3 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Where is the prime minister? His latest video suggests he's holed up in Hanoi
Observers identified the location of Prime Minister Robert Fico's latest video, posted to social media on January 2 (a still from the video is shown on the right), as the Grand Opera Madam Butterfly Suite at the five-star Capella Hanoi hotel in Vietnam (an publicity image from the suite is shown on the left). Fico has not appeared in public for weeks and gone to some lengths to conceal his location in his videos. However, details such as the phone, curtains, and the elaborately framed television in the Hanoi suite gave his current location away. (source: (Facebook/Matterport))
For the 14th consecutive day, Slovakia has received no official information about the whereabouts of its prime minister, Robert Fico. Since December 22, when he was filmed meeting Russia's President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, his office has not provided any details about his location. The premier has communicated only via videos posted to social media, rather than through official channels, and none of his videos has specified his current location.
However, research by the Denník N daily suggests Fico is in Vietnam. A reader alerted the paper's journalists to the possibility that, based on his most recent video, the premier is staying at a luxury hotel, having identified the interior of an apartment in which the video was apparently filmed.
Fico's latest video, posted on Thursday, January 2, was shot in a luxury hotel in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi – at least judging by the distinctive decor visible in the video. The room in which Fico appears reportedly costs over €6,000 per night. Readers can check this 3D rendering of a suite at the same hotel to judge the resemblance between the images above.
The location of the video, in which Fico criticises Ukraine's president, was revealed to be the opulent Grand Opera Madam Butterfly suite in the Capella Hanoi Hotel. Despite inquiries from Slovak media to the hotel and the Slovak government, the prime minister's exact activities there remain unclear. As a result, it is unclear what Fico is doing in Vietnam (no official visit has been announced), who is paying for his lavish accommodation, or why he is refusing to clarify his location.
Although Fico has often been guarded when it comes to the details of his private travel, this latest mystery has led to criticism, especially from political opponents, who question his lack of transparency. Similar controversy arose in relation to the premier's recent, similarly unconfirmed, trips to Croatia and Turkey, where background details from his videos and paparazzi photos were used to pinpoint his location.
Fico’s relationship with Vietnam is notably strong. In October 2023, he mentioned that Slovakia's foreign policy wouldn't change and that he plans to visit Vietnam and China. The government is keen on strengthening ties with Vietnam, despite past controversies. These include allegations that a previous Fico government may have assisted Vietnam's communist regime in kidnapping and rendering one of its own citizens.
Eight individuals, including former Fico adviser Quang Le Hong, have been charged in the kidnapping of the former Vietnamese official Trinh Xuan Thanh, who is now serving a life sentence in prison in Vietnam. Thanh, who was previously a director of a Vietnamese oil company, was taken from Berlin to Bratislava and flown to Moscow on a Slovak government plane lent to a Vietnamese delegation. The car used in the kidnapping was tracked near the Hotel Bôrik, a government accommodation facility in Bratislava used to house VIP guests, where a Slovak-Vietnamese meeting took place. Hong, who is now a Nigerian citizen, remains on the run.
The leader of opposition party Progressive Slovakia (PS), Michal Šimečka, criticised Fico for enjoying such opulence while Slovaks face rising VAT and increased costs of living from January. Šimečka called on Fico to explain how he could afford such luxury, and he opted for a creative approach to make his point. See for yourself. As well as its blingy suites, the Capella Hanoi hotel features a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Related:
Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko sent Fico a telegram on New Year's Day in which he congratulated Slovakia on the anniversary of its independence and expressed interest in renewing trade relations between the two countries. He also stated that Minsk and Bratislava "can and must convince everyone that direct dialogue is always better than confrontation." Lukashenko and 286 other Belarusian individuals are currently subject to EU sanctions for their role in repression, intimidation and election manipulation.
A motorcycle was stolen from the apartment building where Robert Fico resides, sparking opposition criticism of police failures and rising crime, reports the SITA newswire. Fico was the victim of an assassination attempt in May 2024 and security around him was supposed to have been increased. The Interior Ministry dismissed the claims, stating Fico wasn't present and that security lapses had not occurred.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
Politics: Štefan Harabin, a former judge, politician, and two-time failed presidential candidate, is refusing to comply with a court order to apologise for making false claims and spreading conspiracy theories about the software company Eset.
Opinion: Jeanne M. Zulick, an attorney and author, recounts her grandfather Andrej Zozulič's journey from a harsh life in Slovakia to America, where he worked in coal mines and steel mills. Read the fascinating stories of Zozulič and other Slovak migrants.
Weekend adventures: Embark on an adventurous winter hike in the Little Carpathians, or challenge yourself with a trek in the Malá Fatra or Slovak Paradise, enjoy the last chance to visit Christmas markets and plenty of fun activities for the weekend like ice skating with friends or family.
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GOOD NEWS
Do you want to build a snowman?
Medická Záhrada (Medical Garden) (source: Ján Pallo)
Alongside the bright sunshine breaking through after gloomy, foggy days, our fresh selection of feel-good stories is here to add even more warmth to your day. A New Year's Eve miracle unfolded in Bratislava as the city was blanketed in unexpected snow. Even meteorologists were puzzled, dubbing it "mystery snow" that evaded radar detection. Wishes really do come true!
SPORT EVENT FOR THE WEEKEND
New year, new games
Poprad players celebrate their 4-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava on November 3, 2024 in Poprad. (source: TASR - František Iván)
In the first home game of the new calendar year, HC Slovan ice hockey team will welcome their opponents from Banská Bystrica. Gear up for the ultimate ice battle on January 5 – grab your tickets before they’re gone! For more details of this and other events read our Top 10 events for foreigners.
IN OTHER NEWS
Slovakia's state budget deficit increased to €6.3 billion in December, up from €5.1 billion in November. Despite this, the annual deficit decreased by €1.3 billion compared to 2023. Tax revenues reached €18.3 billion, with VAT contributing €9.8 billion. Significant expenditures included €1.1 billion on servicing state debt and a €2.7 billion transfer to the social insurance provider, Sociálna Poisťovňa. (TASR)
Police are warning of increased thefts during the holiday season, urging people to secure homes, vehicles and personal belongings. Drivers are advised to adapt to winter conditions by checking they have proper tyres, and functioning lights and brakes. Authorities also caution against online and senior-targeted fraud, emphasising the importance of verifying information and protecting personal data. (TASR)
December 2024 temperatures in Slovakia were mostly normal to above normal. The highest average temperature of 2.7°C was recorded in Bratislava's Mlynská Dolina, while the lowest, at -2.2°C, was in Stratená-Dobšinská Ice Cave. The coldest temperature, -12.3°C, occurred on December 14 in Oravice, and the warmest, 14.6°C, was measured on December 28 in Štós-Kúpele. Precipitation levels were generally below normal to normal, with the lowest rainfall of 7.9mm being recorded in Gánovce. The highest was 51.4mm, in Lubina. (TASR)
Andrej Danko, the leader of the Slovak National Party (SNS) and one of four deputy speakers of parliament, crashed his Škoda Superb car into a traffic light in the Bratislava district of Dúbravka on January 11 last year, and fled the scene. It has now been reported that the repair costs for the severely damaged vehicle amounted to €17,692, despite the car having been registered new just 25 days before the accident. After the incident, Danko paid nearly €3,000 to the city for the damage to the traffic light and received a €900 fine along with a two-year driving ban. Following repairs, the city of Holíč, whose mayor is from Danko's party, bought the car for €37,400. (Sme)
Slovakia is out of the semifinals again, as the Slovak ice hockey team was knocked out in the quarterfinals of the U-20 World Championship for the third year in a row, losing 5-3 to Finland. Despite outshooting its opponents 36-18, the game’s outcome was decided early, with Finland leading 3-0 after just five shots. Captain Dalibor Dvorský led the team and scored a goal, but the overall performance of the goalkeepers was criticised. Slovakia finished in sixth place, the same as last year. (Denník N)
The oldest Slovak Olympic gold medallist, Ján Zachara, has died at the age of 96. He won gold in boxing at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and was also a successful boxing coach. Born on August 27, 1928, Zachara spent his later years living with his daughter, who cared for him. His final farewell will take place on January 8 in Nová Dubnica. (TASR)
Several thousand people gathered on January 3, 2025, in Freedom Square, Bratislava, in front of the Government Office to protest against the current direction of Slovakia. The protesters were principally reacting to the meeting between Prime Minister Robert Fico and Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 22. Many of the protesters held graphics created by painter Rudolf Sikora with the slogan 'Treason! We Are Europe'. (Sme) (source: Katarína Jakubjaková)
WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND: The weather will be changeable, with occasional snow showers, especially in the mountains. The highest daily temperatures will range from -4°C to 1°C, with the southern part of Slovakia being warmer, particularly in Banská Bystrica Region, where temperatures could reach 3°C. On Sunday, fog may occur in isolated areas. On Saturday, a Level 1 warning will be in effect for Banská Bystrica, Prešov and Žilina Regions due to drifting snow and strong wind in the mountains. In Trenčín and Košice Regions, a warning will also apply for snow. The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ) has also issued a Level 1 warning for the entire country on Sunday due to the likely formation of ice on the roads. Additionally, in Banská Bystrica, Košice, Žilina and Prešov Regions, a Level 1 warning for low temperatures is expected. (SHMÚ)
NAME DAYS IN SLOVAKIA: Saturday, January 4 - Drahoslav; Sunday, January 5 - Andrea; Monday, January 6 - Antónia.
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