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!
Minister starts to play the fear card again
Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok. (source: Martin Baumann)
The unexpected collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, which has been embroiled in civil war since 2011, could serve as yet another tool for the anti-immigration Slovak government to stoke public fears over undocumented migration.
Key Slovak officials remain silent on the developments. President Peter Pellegrini has recently been occupied with his pre-Christmas visit to the Vatican, and Prime Minister Robert Fico is on an official trip to Brazil with three ministers, including the foreign minister. The sole voice from Slovakia’s leadership has come from Interior Minister and Hlas party chief Matúš Šutaj Eštok, who wasted no time framing the situation as a threat to Slovakia.
“Many liberal politicians view the fall of Assad’s regime as a victory for democracy and an end to authoritarianism. But is that really the case?” the populist minister asked on Monday, warning that the upheaval in Syria could lead to increased undocumented migration into Europe.
In a social media post, Šutaj Eštok again drew a connection between Islam and terrorism, cautioning that individuals “not representative of traditional European culture” might now seek entry into countries such as Germany and Austria through Slovakia. His rhetoric, invoking alleged terror threats, mirrors his approach during Slovakia’s presidential elections earlier this year, when he portrayed a detained Tajik activist as a supposed terrorist. The minister had previously courted controversy over a botched police crackdown on undocumented people.
“We must further strengthen border protections and enhance cooperation with Hungary,” he added, highlighting the supposed advantage of Slovakia’s coalition government, which he described as committed to rejecting undocumented migrants and defending the country.
Even though Slovakia has faced several waves of undocumented migration in recent years, the interest of undocumented people in staying in Slovakia is minimal.
The situation in Syria remains fluid, with foreign nations now assessing the implications of Assad’s ouster. For example, several EU countries appear determined to send asylum seekers from Syria back home. What Slovakia is actually doing, aside from the minister’s “analysis”, remains unclear. “We are actively monitoring the current developments in Syria and coordinating with our partners,” the Interior Ministry said in its statement on December 10. Meanwhile, Abu Mohammed al Jolani, the leader of the rebel faction responsible for toppling Assad has told Sky News that Syria poses no threat to other countries.
Time to go: In Slovakia, Šutaj Eštok is facing mounting domestic pressure. Opposition parties are calling for his dismissal, citing police brutality, understaffed law enforcement, and his inability to address bomb threats targeting schools, among other things.
Syrians in Slovakia: Slovakia is home to 460 Syrian nationals, according to the latest data. Of these, 218 hold temporary residence permits, 237 have secured permanent residence, and five are under tolerated residence status. Applications for international protection remain minimal. In 2023, just four Syrians sought asylum in Slovakia, rising slightly to seven in 2024. There are currently no active asylum cases involving Syrian nationals. (Interior Ministry)
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TRAVEL STORY
Welcome to the Tuscany of eastern Slovakia
A manor in Markušovce, eastern Slovakia. (source: František Iván)
Nestled in eastern Slovakia, the district of Spišská Nová Ves is a treasure trove of natural beauty and historical grandeur. Home to the breathtaking Slovak Paradise National Park and the awe-inspiring Spiš Castle, this region attracts visitors from across the world. But there’s more to Spiš than scenic hikes and ancient ruins.
WINTER FUN
Something for skating enthusiasts
Bratislava’s Petržalka district has unveiled a brand-new covered ice rink by the Veľký Draždiak lake. With a sparkling 56x26 metre ice surface and room for up to 135 skaters, it’s the perfect spot to glide into winter fun. But here’s the catch—spaces are limited, so the local council strongly suggests booking your spot online at petrzalkasportuje.sk. Oh, and don’t forget to bring your own skates; this rink is strictly BYO-blades!
IN OTHER NEWS
On Tuesday, four coalition MPs from the Hlas party—Roman Malatinec, Radomír Šalitroš, Samuel Migaľ, and Ján Ferenčák—refused to support a proposal by Smer MP Richard Glück. The motion sought to exempt Prime Minister Robert Fico from attending the parliamentary committee on European affairs to explain Slovakia’s foreign policy positions before European summits. This highlights the evident instability within the three-party coalition. While Smer, led by Fico, remains solid, Hlas and the Slovak National Party are grappling with internal dissent. On Tuesday, the coalition was also forced to postpone voting on appointments to media organisations and the NGO bill to February.
A protest march titled For the Future of Culture will be held in Bratislava on Thursday. Here’s the programme.
Adult Slovaks are significantly behind in reading literacy and problem-solving skills, with nearly a quarter performing at the level of a 10-year-old. However, their mathematical literacy is around the OECD average, according to the organisation’s latest evaluation.
Roman Paulíny, the former leader of the Chachaland children’s camp, has been found guilty of sexually abusing a former participant. The court’s decision comes more than five years after the case surfaced in March 2019. Paulíny received a suspended sentence, though the verdict is not yet final. The case came to light after Katarína Danová, then nearly 30, wrote a blog in 2019 detailing her experience. (SME)
People are skating on the ice rink at the amphitheatre in Banská Bystrica on Sunday, December 8, 2024. (source: Ján Krošlák)
WEATHER BRIEFING: Expect cloudy to overcast skies dominating Wednesday, with the occasional surprise of snow or sleet popping up here and there. If you are below 300 metres, don’t be shocked if the snowflakes switch to good old rain. Temperatures will hover between 0°C and 5°C, but if you are up north, brace yourself for a chillier -2°C in spots. (SHMÚ)
PARTY TIME: Happy namesday to all the Hildas out there! Celebrate in style this Wednesday, December 11—it’s your special day in Slovakia!
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