Hello, and welcome to your Thursday, 4 September edition of Today in Slovakia.
While Slovakia’s footballers were busy kicking Germany into shock defeat on Thursday night, Robert Fico and his interior minister had already been taking their boots to another opponent: the EU.
Kicking Brussels. While on a China trip that looked more like a parade of strongmen than a diplomatic jaunt, Fico posted a video attacking the EU for failing to send leaders to Beijing’s commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Only he and Hungary’s foreign minister, Péter Szijjártó, turned up. “If anyone was isolated today, it was the EU,” he declared — before announcing he would soon meet Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko to discuss economic ties. And there’s more: the Chinese president himself is due in Slovakia, too.
China club. Xi Jinping publicly thanked Fico for his “faithful friendship”, promised to deepen “mutual political trust”, and said Beijing wants to use Slovakia to develop EU–China relations — a phrase that, as with Moscow, reads more like code for undermining trust in the Union. Xi Jinping also pledged to smooth the way for export licenses of Chinese rare earths and minerals to Slovakia, resources PM Fico says are “vital for industry”. Fresh off the Gotion battery investment, Fico is betting Beijing will greenlight more Chinese investors to set up shop in Slovakia.
Fico swoons. The Slovak PM, meanwhile, gushed about his trip. He told the “oak-headed opposition” and “anti-state, anti-government media” to go and see China themselves — they would return with “mouths open for two weeks.”
Joining in. Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok followed suit, warning that Europe is blind to a “new era” where powers like China and India are asserting themselves. Brussels, he claimed, is sabotaging itself with “politically motivated regulations and bans” that weaken economies and raise prices. Yet, he stressed Slovakia has no alternative to the EU and NATO — only that leaders must “stop burying their heads in the sand”.
No rest for Fico. On Friday the Slovak PM meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Uzhhorod — and if past form is any guide, expect a few digs to accompany the handshakes.
Zelensky lands in Slovakia
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky looks at France's President Emmanuel Macron as he delivers a speech following a summit on Ukraine in Paris on 4 September 2025. (source: TASR/AP)
Volodymyr Zelensky’s plane landed in Košice late Thursday evening, after delays pushed back his arrival from Paris, where he had met EU leaders to discuss support for Ukraine. Just before 22:00, his motorcade headed east towards the Ukrainian border.
Crossing paths. On Friday Zelensky sits down with Fico in Uzhhorod. The contrast could not be starker: one leader flying in from Paris and a round of EU talks, the other returning from Beijing, where he met Vladimir Putin, attended a military parade, shook hands with Xi Jinping, and chatted with Vietnam’s Luong Cuong.
First official meeting. This will be the first official meeting between the Slovak prime minister and the Ukrainian president. The pair had technically met once before — “face to face” for all of 15 seconds, as Fico himself put it — during a group photo at the European Council summit in Brussels last October.
What’s on the table. Energy infrastructure will dominate discussions, according to Fico’s office. Both leaders will brief the press afterwards, alongside Ukraine’s prime minister Yuliya Svyrydenko. Slovakia’s delegation includes Economy Minister Denisa Saková (Hlas) and Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár (Smer).
Messages from afar. Fico may arrive in Uzhhorod carrying what he once promised — a “message” from Vladimir Putin. But Zelensky has his own note to deliver: in a recent call with European leaders, Donald Trump complained about Slovakia and Hungary continuing to buy Russian oil.
Why it matters. For Kyiv, the meeting is a chance to keep Slovakia engaged despite Fico’s pro-Moscow leanings. For Fico, it’s an opportunity to play regional powerbroker — and perhaps take another swing at Brussels while he’s at it.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
REINSTATED: Matej Varga, once suspended and accused of sabotage, has been cleared by prosecutors and returned to work — leaving Interior Minister Šutaj Eštok looking politically bruised.
RED FLAGS: MEP Miriam Lexmann warns that Fico’s Beijing trip ignores China’s human rights abuses and economic risks — and says Slovakia should stand with democracies, not totalitarians.
EXIT: SPP boss Vojtech Ferencz has quit after two years marked by pro-Russian leanings — leaving Slovakia’s gas utility at a crossroads between its Gazprom contract and Brussels’ push to cut ties.
HOUSING: Housing completions in Slovakia plunged in Q2 — with Bratislava finishing just 434 flats, its lowest in 22 years, fuelling fresh pressure on prices.
TRAM: A 34-year-old man was arrested in Bratislava after exposing himself on a tram, assaulting an elderly passenger, and fleeing with his bag.
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Coming and going — MP Radačovský to Cyprus
MP Miroslav Radačovský (source: SME - Jozef Jakubčo)
The coalition’s parliamentary maths is about to change. Miroslav Radačovský — former MEP, current independent MP and one-time judge — is set to become Slovakia’s next ambassador to Cyprus, multiple sources from the Foreign Ministry and politics confirmed to Denník N.
Political pick. It is another political, not professional, appointment under Robert Fico’s government and President Peter Pellegrini’s mandate. Why it matters: once Radačovský heads off to Nicosia, the nationalist Slovak National Party (SNS) will gain a new MP for its caucus — shoring up the coalition’s fragile numbers.
Sweet deal. For Radačovský, 71, the move offers four years in a plush diplomatic post — with higher pay — instead of two years finishing out his parliamentary term. He’s already cleared government approval (in March, behind closed doors), won Pellegrini’s nod, and undergone a security vetting. Slovakia has formally requested Cyprus’ agrément — which typically takes two to three months and is rarely denied.
Confirmed in all but name. Diplomats expect Radačovský to take up the post by year-end. The current ambassador, Martin Bezák, had been due to stay until May 2026 — but has been told to wrap up early. Radačovský himself coyly told Denník N: “When it was offered, we agreed I mustn’t speak until it’s finalised. I want to keep my word.”
Prorussian streak. Radačovský is a nationalist with openly pro-Russian views. He has praised BRICS as Slovakia’s future, distanced himself from the far-right ĽSNS after entering the European Parliament on its list, and once released a live dove during a speech in Strasbourg. He leads the small Slovenský patriot party, linked to SNS MP Adam Lučanský. He previously ruled against ex-president Andrej Kiska in a land dispute — telling him to “go live in the US or Israel” — and has ranted that if the West keeps arming Ukraine, “Slavs will unite and turn western Europe into a lawn”.
Political calculus. The plan has been in the works since the spring’s coalition wobble, when the government feared losing its majority. Tourism Minister Rudolf Huliak let slip on 5 March that “today we discussed Radačovský’s nomination as ambassador” — the day cabinet did indeed sign off four names in secret. Ironically, Radačovský then took his parliamentary oath later that same month as Huliak’s replacement. But he was already earmarked for Nicosia.
SLOVAKS ABROAD
I discovered the hero my grandfather was, in an old box of clippings
(source: Courtesy, David M. Barron)
David M. Barron recounts how he discovered his grandfather Zalman Unreich’s hidden legacy through old clippings, revealing a Slovak wrestling champion who became a defender of Bratislava’s Jewish community alongside Krav Maga founder Imi Lichtenfeld. Unreich went on to rescue refugees, fight antisemitism, and serve in Israel’s Haganah, while his family paid the ultimate price in Auschwitz. Barron reflects on carrying forward that tradition of resilience, faith, and service in his own life today.
IN OTHER NEWS
Slovakia’s National Health Information Centre (NCZI) has opened registration for the new Covid jab, with people joining a waiting list now and appointments to be assigned from late September.
Former PM and Progressive Slovakia MEP Ľudovít Ódor and ex-analyst Štefan Kišš unveiled Progressive Slovakia’s economic plan “Veľký tresk” (Big Bang) with 73 measures the party calls a starting point for debate.
SaS MP and former justice minister Mária Kolíková is demanding an extraordinary oversight committee, accusing intelligence chief Pavol Gašpar of breaching secrecy rules — and revelations show he failed to declare shares in a Czech firm.
The leadership of six regions and several mayors warn that government changes to the Arts Support Fund risk leaving theatres, museums, galleries and festivals across Slovakia facing an existential crisis.
Slovakia’s state broadcaster STVR has abruptly axed several radio shows — including Skúška sirén (Siren Test), Abeceda klaunov (Clowns’ Alphabet) and Overovňa (The Verifier, on conspiracies and disinformation) — with creators saying they were given no explanation.
Slovakia has fully met only five of 21 anti-corruption recommendations from the Council of Europe’s GRECO, which is urging tougher lobbying rules, better asset declarations and a national prevention plan.
Goal celebration of the Slovak footballers after scoring for 2–0 in the opening 2026 World Cup Group A qualifier Slovakia vs. Germany, on 4 September 2025 in Bratislava. (source: TASR - Martin Baumann)
FRIDAY WEATHER BRIEFING: Mostly clear to partly cloudy, with occasional showers or storms and morning fog in places. Very warm, highs between 25°C and 32°C. (SHMÚ)
NAME DAY: Regina on Friday. If you’ve got a Regina in your life, today’s the day for flowers, chocolates, or at least a call.
BEFORE WE GO: Two decades after 20,000 fans cheered flying hedgehogs, castles and even loos over Kuchajda Lake, Red Bull Flugtag returns to Bratislava this Saturday with new contraptions aiming for the skies.
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