Good evening. Here is the Wednesday, March 5 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in a few minutes.
Another humiliation for Andrej Danko and SNS
From left: MP Rudolf Huliak (independent, Smer nominee for Sports and Tourism Minister) and President Peter Pellegrini. (source: TASR)
Not long ago, President Peter Pellegrini said he would not like a minister who would want Slovakia to leave the EU and NATO to serve in the ruling government.
On Wednesday, he named one. Rudolf Huliak, formerly of SNS and now leader of the small, Russia-friendly National Coalition party that wants Slovakia to leave the EU and NATO, as the Tourism and Sport Minister.
This marks as another in the long series of defeats for Andrej Danko and his SNS party Huliak defected from last October. Together with two other MPs (Ivan Ševčík, Pavel Ľupták) they ditched the party caucus and pushed for more recognition. The SNS party has been hovering way below electoral threshold, in the 2024 EP elections did not get even two percent of votes, Danko himself unsuccessfully ran for president, among other things. And now, Huliak got just the ministry upon which SNS conditioned its entry into the coalition. However, SNS offered the ministry to Smer as part of the ministerial reshuffle to secure stability.
Huliak was nominated for the post by Smer. Together with the other two MPs, they claimed they would not support the ruling coalition unless they are given a ministry and be part of the coalition council. PM Robert Fico wants to once again secure majority in the parliament, something he has had troubles with recently.
After the 2023 election, Huliak was to become the environment minister, but then president Zuzana Čaputová decided to not appoint him, saying that he was not fit for the job because he questions Slovakia's long-term environmental policy and international commitments and is a climate change denier. Nevertheless, after he left SNS in 2024, Huliak asked for the post.
Pellegrini met with Huliak on Monday. During the meeting, the latter assured him that neither he nor his party would promote foreign policy priorities that would be in conflict with Slovakia's EU and NATO membership. He also said that his previous comments regarding Slovakia's EU, NATO memberships were part of the election campaign and should not be taken into account now.
On Wednesday, the president reiterated that Huliak had assured him that he would not promote anything that would be in violation of Slovakia's interests.
Rudolf Huliak coming to the government meeting on March 5. (source: TASR)
Criticism: Opposition SaS said that although the president convinces Slovakia it is part of EU and NATO, his appointing of Huliak shows otherwise as the latter now 'gained the president's blessing'. Progressive Slovakia said that Huliak has nothing in common with sport and tourism, and he will not help Slovakia's youth to live healthier and have better conditions for sport activities. The Slovensko movement claims the appointment is evidence that Fico doesn't care about the future of Slovakia in the EU.
Replacement: Huliak will be replaced in the parliament by Miroslav Radačovský, who was on the SNS slate during the 2023 election. He claims he will support the ruling coalition and "will not make any problems" as he doesn't want snap elections. Between 2019-2024 he was a MEP for the far-right ĽSNS party.
New post: Former sports and tourism minister Dušan Keketi should become a new vice-governor of Slovakia's central bank (NBS). On Wednesday, the government approved Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenický's (Smer) proposal in this regard. The proposal is yet to be approved by the parliament and president.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
MINORITIES: An unidentified man attacked another one with a knife in Bratislava, supposedly for the latter's Hungarian origin.
BUSINESS: As prices grow, they increase even in areas not usually noticeable. This overview showcases a few model examples, as well as additional, somewhat hidden fees and expenses.
HISTORY: Guided by historical photos and records to preserve authenticity, the restoration of the Levice Castle park begins. The goal is to bring the 19th-century charm back to life.
ARCHAEOLOGY: A prehistoric giant's imprint discovered behind a house in south-western Slovakia, stunning paleontologists.
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FEATURE STORY
The first Slovak feminist
The Hana exhibition, named 'A Woman Ahead of Her Time', sheds light on the life and work of Hana Gregorová, an important writer and feminist. (source: Jana Liptáková)
In 1929, British writer Virginia Woolf wrote her seminal essay A Room of One's Own; Slovak writer Hana Gregorová wrote her book A Slovak Woman by the Fireplace and a Book. Although these are different works from different backgrounds, both authors observed the conditions in which female creativity emerges.
But while Woolf is today recognised as a strong advocate for women's rights, Gregorová is, even in Slovakia, known more or less only as the wife of writer Jozef Gregor Tajovský. But she was, in her own right, an intellectual, writer and organiser of cultural life.
THEATRE FOR MARCH AND APRIL
Cats are back in Bratislava
A still from the March 5 performance of Cats at the Divadlo Nová Scéna theatre in Bratislava. (source: TASR)
After many years, Cats, one of the most iconic musicals ever, is back in Bratislava. The music was created by Andrew Lloyd Weber based on a poetry collection by T. S. Eliot. Several perfomances of the musical are slated for March and April at the Divadlo Nová Scéna theatre in Bratislava. Admission starts at €25. Be quick though, tickets are slowly selling out.
IN OTHER NEWS
The government approved an amendment to the constitution anchoring in it the existence of only two genders - man and woman. In addition, the motion also seeks to allow adoption only by married couples or by one of the spouses in the event of the other's death, as well as to teach only what is consistent with the constitution regarding cultural and ethical issues in schools, and to highlight gender equality in pay. The goal of the amendment is to to achieve sovereignty of Slovakia in culture- and ethics-based values. (TASR)
After the sale of government bonds for the public was launched on March 3, the Debt and Liquidity Management Agency (ARDAL) reports that the entire planned issue of the two-year Investor government bond for the public worth €250 million has already been sold out. People can still buy the four-year Patriot bonds. (TASR)
According to the Mier Ukrajine (Peace for Ukraine) initiative, more than €5 million have been collected as part of the the fundraiser Munícia pre Ukrajinu (Ammunition for Ukraine), with the remaining €300,000 in the last two months. The money will be used to buy another package of ammunition for the country. This Friday the initiative holds another round of protests against the government of Robert Fico. (Facebook)
By opening its first store in the village of Miloslavov near Bratislava on March 5 (pictured), the Polish discount chain Biedronka has officially entered the Slovak market. Ahead of opening of the store the company also unveiled a new distribution centre in Voderady, Trnava Region, providing jobs for 66 people. (source: TASR)
Slovak male and female biathletes finished 7th and 13th, respectively, in the relay race at the Junior World Championships in Oestersund, Sweden. Although the men were second after Artur Ischakov handed over to Martin Maťko, the latter had to go to two penalty loops, handing over to Šimon Adamov from 11th place, who, together with Jakub Borguľa were able to improve the final standing. (Sportnet)
The government decided that the Šurany Industrial Park in Nitra Region should be a strategic investment. The part will be home to the €1.2-billion battery factory, commonly referred to as a "gigafactory", which is a joint initiative by the Chinese group Gotion and the Slovak company InoBat. It will be the first of its kind in Slovakia. (TASR)
The Slovak Post won a gold medal in the Universal Postal Union competition for the most valuable postage stamp exhibit with its Slovak Philatelic Shop. This is the third gold in a row, with a total of nine. The exhibit was designed by the Slovak Post graphic designer Adrian Ferda in the form of a comic. (TASR)
At the moment, Slovakia is the only candidate country to hold the 2029 World Ice-Hockey Championship. However, that does not mean it will get the chance, said Slovak Ice-Hockey Federation chair Miroslav Šatan after meeting with IIHF delegates in Košice on Wednesday. Together with Bratislava, both cities want to host the event. The visit of the delegates is one of the steps of Slovakia's candidacy, and will then move to the Slovak capital. The final decision will be made at this year's World Championship held in Sweden. (TASR)
The iconic Kriváň peak (in the middle) in the High Tatras. (source: TASR)
WEATHER FOR THURSDAY: Mostly sunny, with occasional fog in the morning. Daily temperatures will rise to between 13 °C to 21 °C. (SHMÚ)
MARCH 6 DATE NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Radoslav, Radoslava
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