Hello, and welcome to your Thursday, 21 August edition of Today in Slovakia.
Fifty-seven years ago today, Warsaw Pact tanks rolled into Czechoslovakia. President Peter Pellegrini – and a handful of other political figures – marked the anniversary by reminding Slovaks that freedom still needs defending.
Pellegrini called the invasion “a sad event in our history, which for a long time shaped political life and the fate of the people of Czechoslovakia.” On Facebook, he urged: “Let us build the international standing of the Slovak Republic in such a way that there will never again be a violent act of power, when the fate of a whole country and its people is decided on the basis of one great power’s sphere of influence.”
Notice what he did not mention: Russia and its war in Ukraine.
Smer’s Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár struck a similar pose: “It is not acceptable for any large state, backed by great power, to trample on the sovereign and legitimate rights of a smaller neighbour and undermine its independence. This is all the more important today, when we face the erosion of international law.”
Correct in principle, but – again – no mention of Russia, no mention of Ukraine.
The opposition, however, did not dodge the obvious parallel. Progressive Slovakia’s Ivan Korčok, a former foreign minister, said: “With the arrival of tanks in August 1968, hope ended. Today we live in a free country, part of Europe. But we must defend our freedom even now – especially in a world where the echo of tanks is once again heard just across our borders. Nothing like that must ever happen here again.”
And Prime Minister Robert Fico? The man who rarely misses a chance to beam himself into your feed via video message stayed… quiet. No video, no post. For the record, here is what he said last year: “The anniversary of the August 1968 events should be a memento even today, when once again the politics of a single ‘correct’ opinion are being pushed, and anyone showing sovereignty and courage in expressing views on major foreign-policy issues faces crude pressure from developed democracies and the threat of isolation.”
Translation: Fico was not talking about Moscow’s tanks – he was taking a swipe at Brussels and Washington, casting Western allies as bullies that punish leaders who do not toe the line.
And as Denník N pointed out on Thursday, Fico has not been entirely silent in recent days. Case in point: He wants to know how much ministries and their subordinate organisations are paying which media outlets for advertising. He even wrote them a letter to ask.
But Thursday was not only about history. Science stole some of the spotlight too. So let’s start there.
Science vs. conspiracies
Peter Kotlár during a press conference on the results of his examination of Covid-19 vaccines. (source: TASR)
No, your Covid-19 jab did not rewrite your DNA. That is the clear conclusion of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV), which on Thursday released the results of its government-commissioned analysis of mRNA vaccines.
The academy found no “excessive amounts of DNA” – just trace molecules, well below international safety limits. And forget about graphene or other sci-fi compounds: the vaccines contain none of those either.
The SAV report directly rebuts claims made by Peter Kotlár, the government’s special envoy on coronavirus pandemic management, who has been loudly warning of supposed genetic manipulation. He even urged convening the National Security Council and banning mRNA jabs altogether. Prime Minister Robert Fico backed him enough to freeze vaccine purchases pending the analysis.
The scientists’ verdict? Kotlár’s claims are based on “technically incorrect procedures and/or misinterpreted results”. SAV said such statements are misleading, manipulative and a danger to public health.
So far, Health Minister Kamil Šaško (Hlas) has stayed quiet – promising only to brief cabinet next week. Until then, the freeze on buying new vaccines remains in place, even as doctors brace for a likely autumn wave of infections.
Kotlár, for his part, says he never intended to accept the SAV’s findings anyway, since its labs are “not certified”. His original analysis came from a Czech lab run by disinformation-friendly geneticist Soňa Peková – and was later published in a predatory journal.
What next? Opposition parties are calling for Kotlár’s dismissal. SaS leader Branislav Gröhling said the envoy has “spread lies for years, undermined science and endangered public health”. Progressive Slovakia demanded Hlas ministers follow through on earlier warnings and force him out. Even Slovensko MPs are pressing Šaško to act quickly – and ensure Slovakia has enough vaccines for the next flu season.
Whether Kotlár keeps his job now depends less on science and more on politics. Fico values him as a coalition partner. Hlas, meanwhile, risks being seen as complicit if they let him stay.
And here is the twist: Kotlár himself has repeatedly said he would resign if proven wrong. Back in March he vowed: “If it turns out that I am not right, I will tear up my medical diploma in front of the media and apologise to Slovak citizens.”
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR
Bribery verdict: A written ruling details why Slovakia’s central bank governor Peter Kažimír was found guilty, dismissing his defence and pointing to a web of evidence that will now face Supreme Court scrutiny.
Conservative icon: Anna Záborská, a doctor turned politician who became one of Slovakia’s most outspoken voices on abortion and family policy at home and in Brussels, has died aged 77, leaving behind both a polarising legacy and quiet acts of generosity.
Liberal rift: Freedom and Solidarity leader Branislav Gröhling has moved to bar party founder Richard Sulík from future electoral lists, a dramatic break that signals both a fresh start for Slovakia’s liberals and uncertainty over what comes next.
Electric shift: Kia has launched production of its first fully electric car in Europe at its Slovak plant.
Free delights: From a Tour de France-style cycling challenge to a rooftop cinema and the Slovak Philharmonic’s open-air finale, Bratislava is offering plenty of no-cost culture over the coming week.
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ANALYSIS
Exhibition violence in Serbia triggers solidarity rally and political storm in Slovakia
Protest in Bratislava in support of the Slovak minority in Serbia and demonstrators opposing the current Serbian regime, 19 August 2025. (source: Peter Dlhopolec for The Slovak Spectator)
A Bratislava rally backed Serbian protesters after a photo exhibition in Bački Petrovac was attacked – an incident that has spilled into Slovak politics, with Robert Fico accused of shielding President Aleksandar Vučić rather than defending ethnic Slovaks.
Power struggle at Gabčíkovo
Gabčíkovo hydroelectric power plant, southern Slovakia (source: Facebook - Metod Špaček)
Former government envoy Metod Špaček is sounding the alarm over a controversial deal Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba (SNS nom.) is pushing with Hungary.
On Tuesday, Robert Fico’s cabinet formally dismissed Špaček as Slovakia’s representative before the International Court of Justice in the long-running Gabčíkovo–Nagymaros dam dispute. The timing is notable: Taraba is championing an agreement that would give Hungary half the electricity generated at Gabčíkovo – at little more than production cost.
Špaček, who had held the envoy role since 2017 and spent nearly two decades in Slovakia’s negotiating team, calls the move a blow to “expert continuity” and a potential economic disaster. The proposed deal, he warns, would be “financially disadvantageous for Slovakia and politically indefensible”.
In a Facebook post, Špaček wrote that he had served “strictly in Slovakia’s interest, apolitically, professionally and without any remuneration” across six governments. He added that the government had effectively sidelined him a year ago and was now replacing long-standing expertise with “external services of politically connected lawyers without any experience in international law”.
Špaček also criticised the talks as opaque, with parts of the government delegation excluded and information drip-fed – if at all.
Taraba’s defence: The minister insists he is acting on a 1997 ICJ ruling. Špaček counters that the court never ordered a power-sharing arrangement. The original 1977 treaty foresaw joint energy use only if Hungary built its part of the dam at Nagymaros. Budapest never did, breaching international law, and Slovakia has since run Gabčíkovo alone.
Why it matters: Giving away half of Gabčíkovo’s electricity, Špaček says, would turn the project into an “economically unworkable model” and lock Slovakia into permanent losses. Instead, he argues, the country should hold on to all the power, as ownership follows territory – and focus on fixing environmental issues along the old Danube riverbed.
Špaček also notes Hungary’s about-face. Until 2020, Budapest flatly rejected hydro-energy projects and pushed only for higher water flow in the old riverbed. Now, he says, “Hungary is pursuing purely energy interests. That is a 180-degree turn.”
Quote: “I am surprised that it took Robert Fico’s government and Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár an entire year to bring themselves to officially complete what they had in fact already done in July 2024, when for political reasons they sidelined me from the Foreign Ministry after 26 years,” said Špaček. In the past, he also worked for former president Zuzana Čaputová – hardly a point in his favour with Prime Minister Fico, who was never a fan.
IN OTHER NEWS
Deliveries of Russian oil to Slovakia will be halted again – Economy Minister Denisa Saková (Hlas) has announced. She said another attack had occurred near the Belarusian border on the Druzhba pipeline. Supplies were also suspended on Monday – after damage to a transformer station in Russia – the second disruption to infrastructure in just seven days.
Slovakia is facing one of its largest waves of fraud targeting pensioners, police say. Last year alone, 125 cases were recorded, causing losses of €1.5m. The biggest trend involves fraudsters posing as police officers and contacting elderly victims via messaging platforms with claims that their bank accounts have been hacked.
Major General Slavomír Verčimák has become the highest-ranking Slovak officer within NATO, taking up the post of representative of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe. For the next three years, he will represent the command at political and military negotiations at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.
Juraj Slafkovský was named Slovak Ice Hockey Player of the Year for the second time in a row, also taking the best forward award after a career-high 51 points for Montreal in the NHL. Washington’s Martin Fehérváry finished runner-up and was named best defenceman, while Martin Gernát placed third. Samuel Hlavaj was recognised as best goaltender, Dalibor Dvorský received the Pavol Demitra Award for best under-20 player, and 17-year-old Nela Lopušanová was named best women’s player. Former star Zdeno Chára and coach Pavel Siroťák were inducted into the Slovak Hockey Hall of Fame.
Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenický (Smer) said talks on Slovakia’s fiscal consolidation package are about 75 percent complete, though the hardest decisions still lie ahead. After missing his 20 August deadline, the minister plans to present draft laws to the government on 3 September, aiming for a parliamentary vote in October, but has so far declined to reveal details or the overall scale of the savings.
Developer Atrios has announced the start of preparatory works for a new residential and commercial project near Bratislava’s Kuchajda lake, with construction due to begin by the end of this year. The first phase will deliver around 250 flats and commercial units alongside a park, with completion expected in two years, while the site currently occupied by derelict industrial buildings will be redeveloped.
FRIDAY WEATHER BRIEFING: Cloudy start, easing from the west. Scattered showers early, mostly dry later. Highs 17°C–25°C, with northerly winds up to 35 km/h. Check out all the weather warnings in force. (SHMÚ)
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Friday’s name day is Tichomír, derived from Slavic roots meaning “quiet” or “peaceful world”. Best wishes to everyone named Tichomír on their special day!
We leave you with a song: “Bratříčku, zavírej vrátka” (Little Brother, Close the Gate) by Czech singer Karel Kryl. Though Kryl died in 1994 aged just 50, his work still echoes across Czechia and Slovakia. His 1969 debut, written in response to the Soviet-led invasion the previous summer, became an anthem of grief and quiet defiance. Banned from radio within months, it pushed Kryl into exile in Munich – but the song has lived on, resurfacing at protests and commemorations ever since.
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