Good to have you with us! Here is the latest edition of Today in Slovakia - all the top news from Tuesday, wrapped up in one place!
PM Fico has had enough
Prime Minister Robert Fico (source: TASR - Martin Baumann)
Last September, Prime Minister and Smer chair Robert Fico’s coalition partners – the self-declared social democratic Hlas party and the far-right Slovak National Party (SNS) – were in such serious conflict that the prime minister decided to break his silence and share his view. “In every family, there are quarrels,” he said, downplaying the tensions between the two parties, largely fuelled by SNS leader Andrej Danko’s constant attacks on Hlas ministers, and insisting there was no coalition crisis.
Since then, the three-party coalition has faced even deeper problems, with some coalition-supporting MPs – formerly associated with SNS and Hlas – using their leverage to blackmail the government. Coalition problems have stalled the adoption of key legislation and appointments to various boards, amid fears of lacking a parliamentary majority. Yet, just last Sunday, prominent Smer MP Tibor Gašpar denied any political crisis, describing the situation as merely “governance-related problems.”
Now, however, even Fico seems to have had enough of the infighting, which threatens his government. “I must admit that resolving the coalition crisis takes up a lot of my energy,” he said in a video on February 10. Hlas and SNS have until February 17 to secure the coalition’s long-term stability and ensure a working majority of at least 76 MPs in parliament. If they fail to persuade seven rebel MPs to pledge allegiance to the coalition, Fico himself will step in and resolve the situation through a government reshuffle–potentially stripping SNS and Hlas of some ministries.
As a last resort, Fico has hinted at the possibility of a snap election if the government proves unable to fulfil its commitments. However, he remains dismissive of such an outcome: “Elections are far away, in my opinion,” he said on Monday.
Danko responds: SNS leader and Deputy Speaker of Parliament Andrej Danko is not pleased with Fico’s announcement, criticising the prime minister for a lack of empathy and suggesting that his proposed plan would violate the Coalition Deal. Danko accuses Fico of legitimising the rebel MPs by engaging with them on their demands, shifting the blame onto Fico rather than himself. Despite this criticism, Danko extensively praises Fico in other parts of his statement. He also takes the opportunity to list how many times in the past he has had to politically “save” Fico.
Šutaj Eštok responds: Hlas leader Matúš Šutaj Eštok, like Danko, rejected the idea of a snap election. His decision to expel two Hlas MPs from the party weakened Fico’s coalition, with another Hlas MP leaving soon after.
Background: Fico’s 79-MP majority in parliament is fragile, especially after several MPs broke away from their parties–three from Hlas (a fourth remains in Hlas but coordinates with the defectors) and three from the SNS parliamentary caucus. Meanwhile, one of the Hlas defectors has joined the breakaway SNS group led by MP Rudolf Huliak. If the coalition manages to secure a deal with Huliak’s group of four MPs, Fico could count on at least 76 MPs–the narrowest possible majority—supporting his government. The other rebels have declared their backing for Fico’s coalition, but it is far from guaranteed.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR
‘Begone, Satan!’: Lawyers and judges caught up in a corruption scandal get off lightly.
A shattered dream: Slovak forward Dávid Strelec was close to a move to England, but the deal collapsed.
Pedals over politics: Bratislava refuses to alter the controversial Danube cycling path despite the Transport Ministry’s objections.
A letter: In 2025, our priority will be strengthening Slovakia’s competitiveness – and, by extension, Europe’s – writes AmCham Slovakia Executive Director Martina Slabejová.
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TRAVEL
Kysuce can be a top destination again
A man walks along a road in the Kýčera settlement in the Kysuce region. (source: Peter Dlhopolec for The Slovak Spectator)
Kysuce, Slovakia’s rugged northwest, is struggling to reclaim its appeal as a popular tourist destination. Once a haven for Polish skiers, the region has seen a decline in foreign visitors due to rising prices and inadequate infrastructure. In this report, we explore how the region’s tourism industry is trying to adapt, with a focus on cycling, agrotourism, and the revitalisation of local traditions. Despite challenges such as mild winters and underdeveloped services, there is hope for Kysuce’s future.
SISTER IN ACTION
PM Fico’s sister
General Prosecutor Maroš Žilinka in parliament (source: TASR - Martin Baumann)
Prosecutor Lucia Chabadová, sister of Prime Minister Robert Fico, has proposed a measure to restrict psychologists and psychiatrists from publishing open letters–such as the recent one urging Fico to step down, Denník N reports. The change to the Act on Psychological Practice, submitted by the General Prosecutor’s Office where Chabadová works, follows Fico’s outrage over the letter. Though he is not mentioned, the proposal directly references the controversy. The General Prosecutor’s Office argues that the letter’s authors “abused their professional position for political purposes.” Health Minister Kamil Šaško (Hlas) is pushing for fast-track approval, aiming for the law to take effect by June 30.
IN OTHER NEWS
In 2024, Slovakia ranked 59th on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI), a significant drop from its 47th place in 2023. This marks a decline of 12 positions. The highest rankings were held by Denmark, Finland, Singapore, and New Zealand. Prime Minister Robert Fico has dismissed the report, calling it a “political pamphlet.” He argued that since the current government took office at the end of 2023, there have been no corruption scandals involving its members.
The introduction of high tariffs on steel and aluminium from Europe reflects US President Donald Trump’s distrust of the European Union, according to Prime Minister Robert Fico. In a video on social media, Fico suggested the EU’s inability to compete with the US will push European leaders into decisions that benefit America, such as increased reliance on US gas and oil, paying for weapons for Ukraine, and higher military spending. Fico warned that Europe must prepare for the economic consequences of the tariffs, which Trump imposed on February 10, 2025, and predicted that European leaders will hope Trump reconsiders. The European Commission has vowed to respond, calling the tariffs “illegal and economically counterproductive.”
A recent survey by the Central European Digital Media Observatory (CEDMO) reveals that only 32 percent of Slovaks want Ukraine to win the war, a stark contrast to Poland, where 68 percent back Ukraine. Among neighbouring countries, Slovakia shows the highest support for Russia, with 14 percent of respondents favouring its victory. In comparison, just 7 percent in the Czech Republic and 4 percent in Poland share this sentiment.
PM Fico has stated that Slovakia has a “moral right” to explore ways of halting the natural gas supply from Slovakia to Ukraine, emphasising that the state is not involved in the gas shipments via the Vojany-Uzhhorod pipeline. Fico explained that foreign suppliers are responsible for the gas flow. The gas pipeline had been largely inactive for three years. However, gas flow resumed on February 6, with Slovakia beginning to send almost three million cubic metres of gas to Ukraine. This volume has since increased, with Slovakia now supplying nearly eight million cubic metres of gas per day. In his video, the prime minister also voiced frustration over the halted Russian gas transit through Ukraine, accusing Europe of failing to hold Ukraine accountable.
The Institute for New Security Threats (NEST) has published a detailed analysis of the influence of foreign embassies in Slovakia, focusing particularly on their social media activity. The Russian embassy leads the field, with nearly 16,000 posts between 2023 and 2024, surpassing the combined output of all other embassies in the country.
The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Slovakia is the most active on local social media of all the embassies in the country. It is followed by the embassies of the UK, USA, France, Germany, and China. (source: NEST Institute)
The State School Inspectorate (ŠŠI) has raised concerns over the poor quality of computer science teaching, warning that this jeopardises the delivery of cybersecurity education. In addition to computer science, subjects like technology, physics, and chemistry are also being taught inadequately. A comprehensive inspection of 83 primary schools in the previous academic year found that in half of the schools, these subjects were taught entirely by unqualified teachers.
Newly elected US President Donald Trump is a businessman prioritising American interests, and European diplomacy must adapt accordingly, said MEP Miriam Lexmann (KDH) following her official visit to the United States. In an interview with TASR TV, Lexmann stressed that European diplomacy, alongside Slovakia’s, must focus on protecting the interests of European citizens in the face of this shifting dynamic.
The opposition movement Progressive Slovakia has announced plans to initiate the removal of Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba (SNS nominee) in parliament, citing several failures during his tenure. The criticism also extends to his handling of the proposed Málinec pumped-storage hydroelectric plant project. In response, Minister Taraba views the opposition’s call for his dismissal as an attempt to destabilise the government.
Poland is experiencing an increase in illegal migration along its border with Slovakia, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced last Friday. However, the Slovak Interior Ministry has disputed Tusk’s statement, clarifying that the figures do not yet indicate a significant rise. Tusk acknowledged that, while the numbers are not large, the situation warrants attention. (TASR)
Last week, Facebook once again blocked the page All4Ukraine – Pomoc Ukrajine of the non-profit organisation of the same name. As the reason, it once again stated that the profile violated its rules by pretending to be someone else’s identity – a mistake in assessment similar to the one made in October. (SME)
The Valentine’s Day light decorations in Andrej Hlinka Park in the Ružinov district of Bratislava. (source: TASR - Dano Veselský)
WEDNESDAY WEATHER BRIEFING: Expect cloudy to overcast skies with a touch of sunshine in the eastern half at first. Snowflakes will be making their appearance, especially in the western half – don’t be surprised to see a bit of rain mixed with snow at lower altitudes. Temperatures will range from 0°C to 6°C, while up in the mountains at 1500m, it’s a chilly -5°C. Winds will be light, so no need to worry about your hair getting blown about. (SHMÚ)
The first snowdrops blooming in Petržalka, Bratislava, on February 11, 2025. (source: TASR - Miroslav Košírer)
CHEERS TO PERLA: February 12 is Perla’s special day, so if you happen to know one, don’t forget to send her your warmest wishes. Všetko najlepšie!
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