Good to have you with us! Here’s the final Today in Slovakia edition before the weekend – Friday’s top news, all in one place!
One too few MPs means one big problem for Fico
Miroslav Radačovský (source: TASR - Ján Krošlák)
Slovakia’s ruling coalition cannot confirm its newest MP – but it might get help from an unexpected source: the main opposition party.
Miroslav Radačovský – a far-right former MEP who once released a dove inside the chamber of the European Parliament, and who is now supposed take up a seat in the national parliament to replace Rudolf Huliak – cannot take his seat until he is sworn in. But the coalition currently lacks the bare majority needed to convene parliament, which must be in session to formally accept his oath. Huliak's elevation to a ministerial post this week means he is no longer an MP – so the government is down to only 75 seats, one short of the 76 (out of 150) it needs.
However, Progressive Slovakia (PS), the main opposition party, may inadvertently provide the governing coalition with a way out. It has submitted a request to call a special parliamentary session to overturn the government's controversial financial transaction tax. Some argue Radačovský could be sworn in at the special session, thus breaking the deadlock. PS insists parliamentary rules prevent this, but constitutional experts disagree.
“At the session of the National Council of the Slovak Republic [i.e. parliament – Ed.] at which an MP participates for the first time, they shall take the oath (…),” the Constitution reads. The constitution takes precedence over parliamentary rules.
The dispute has heightened tensions among the opposition, with Slovensko, another opposition party, accusing PS of throwing the government a lifeline.
Rebel MPs: Robert Fico’s ruling coalition cannot resolve the Radačovský deadlock alone. To break the impasse, it would need support from at least one opposition MP or one of three lawmakers who were recently expelled from, or quit, the coalition party Hlas – Ján Ferenčák, Samuel Migaľ or Radomír Šalitroš. Prime Minister Fico has yet to strike a deal with the trio.
An avoidable crisis: The coalition could have sidestepped the issue entirely had it waited until after the opening of the next scheduled parliamentary session on March 25 to appoint Rudolf Huliak as sports minister.
A questionable agenda: The bid to open a special session on repealing the financial transaction tax may itself fail. Opposition MP Marián Viskupič (SaS) submitted a similar proposal in November, but parliament rejected it in December. According to parliamentary rules, a “new proposal on the same matter” cannot be resubmitted for six months. (Sme)
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR
Bratislava’s Nová Scéna Theatre is bringing the legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber musical "Cats" back to its stage after six years. (source: TASR - Dano Veselský)
Your weekend plans sorted: Whether it is catching “Cats” in Bratislava, exploring Slovakia’s biggest mineral exhibition, or gazing at Mars and Jupiter from Devín Castle, this weekend is packed with culture, science and adventure.
The 10 events you can’t miss: Whether you are looking to dance the night away, soak in world-class performances, or watch a fierce hockey showdown, we've got you covered.
A dose of positivity: An American star brought some Hollywood glamour to Slovakia, and one lucky Slovak is half a million euros richer.
From survival to glory: Once they struggled to pay for a bus to their away games – now they are lifting trophies. Spišská Nová Ves's ice hockey team has defied the odds to top this season's Slovak Extraliga.
Under fire: Despite the chance to have one of the charges against him dropped, Supreme Court Judge Juraj Kliment is insisting on fighting all the allegations against him.
Bratislava’s Olympic pool reopens: The capital's only 50-metre-long swimming pool, at Pasienky, has been restored to its original glory and reopens this month – just in time to celebrate its 50th birthday.
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PROFILE INTERVIEW
A Frenchman’s mission
Jérôme Texier moved to Slovakia for love and built a career at Orange Business. (source: Courtesy, Jérôme Texier)
As Slovakia celebrates the Month of La Francophonie, it is a fitting time to meet Jérôme Texier, the Frenchman shaping Orange Business Slovakia’s future while quietly working on a novel inspired by Slovak history.
PELLEGRINI AND HIS DOG
As European leaders gathered in London, President Pellegrini was at a dog show
Before we dive into the weekend, let’s rewind to last Sunday, March 2. Slovak President Peter Pellegrini wrapped up the week not in diplomatic talks, but at the Winter Danube international dog show in Bratislava – where his pet, Gery, reportedly stole the spotlight, according to the tabloid Topky.sk.
Meanwhile, on the same day, nearly 20 leaders from Europe, Canada and Turkey gathered in London to discuss the situation in Ukraine. Among them were several heads of state – but not Pellegrini, who has notably stopped speaking about a “just peace” for Kyiv.
IN OTHER NEWS
An estimated 9,000 to 11,000 people joined an anti-government protest in Bratislava on March 7, security expert Martin Královič of SafetyCrew said. Hundreds or thousands gathered in similar protests in other cities across Slovakia. (Denník N)
Thousands participated in the latest Slovakia Is Europe protest rally in Freedom Square, Bratislava on March 7, 2025. (source: TASR - Jakub Kotian)
Women in Slovakia continue to earn less than men, even in female-dominated professions, according to the latest Platy.sk analysis. Administrative workers, nurses and accountants all face wage gaps, with male chief accountants earning nearly €400 more per month than their female counterparts. While some roles, such as HR professionals and receptionists, show little difference, the disparity remains stark in finance and economics, where experienced male employees earn significantly more. (SITA)
Real estate investment in Slovakia fell 19 percent year-on-year in 2024, reaching €537 million across 24 transactions, according to CBRE. Industry and logistics dominated with a 50-percent share, while office investments dropped to 18 percent. CBRE expects a rebound in 2025, forecasting €750 million in transactions, driven by better financing conditions and increased property availability. (SITA)
Slovakia filed a state complaint against Belgium at the European Court of Human Rights over the death of Jozef Chovanec, a Slovak citizen, at Charleroi Airport in 2018.
Revúca Mayor Július Buchta crashed his car into a fence on Thursday, March 6, and tested over one per mille for alcohol. No one was injured. He will be prosecuted at large.
Foot-and-mouth disease has been detected on a farm in the Hungarian town of Kisbajcs near the Slovak border. Slovak veterinary authorities have declared a surveillance zone in eight border villages in the districts of Dunajská Streda and Komárno. (TASR)
314 soldiers, including 91 women, took the military oath on Friday at SNP Square in Partizánske, western Slovakia. It was the first enlistment of the year. (TASR)
Dušan Čaplovič, a longtime Smer politician and former deputy prime minister, died on Thursday.
Slovakia’s economy expanded by 2 percent in 2024, buoyed by increased household and public sector consumption, the Statistics Office confirmed, reaffirming its February estimate. The growth marked the fastest pace since 2021, following a 1.4 percent GDP increase in 2023.
(source: Statistics Office)
WEEKEND WEATHER BRIEFING: Expect exceptionally warm weather over the weekend. Saturday will be mostly clear to partly cloudy, with highs of 17°C to 22°C. Sunday brings a mix of sunshine and clouds, with temperatures ranging from 16°C to 21°C. On Monday, skies will be partly cloudy in the morning, gradually turning overcast from the southwest. Isolated showers or rain are possible in the afternoon, but temperatures will remain unusually warm, reaching 14°C to 19°C, and up to 21°C in the south and west. (SHMÚ)
No snow, no show: Plejsy ski resort in Spišská Nová Ves district has been forced to close due to the warm weather. The slopes stretch across the hillsides of Krompašský Vrch. (source: TASR - František Iván)
WEEKEND PARTY TIME: Cheers to all the Alans and Alanas (March 8), Františkas (March 9), and Brunos and Branislavs (March 10) on their name days – may your celebrations be filled with joy!
And to all our wonderful women on International Women’s Day, which Slovakia marks tomorrow, Saturday, March 8. Here’s to a day of appreciation, empowerment and well-deserved recognition!
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