Good evening. Here is the Wednesday, February 26 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in a few minutes.
Govt asks Šimečka to disclose income of NGOs with his relatives, he talks of abuse of power
Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Šimečka. (source: TASR)
On Tuesday, opposition Progressive Slovakia chair Michal Šimečka criticised PM Robert Fico (Smer) for demanding that ministries compile a list of all grants and subsidies awarded to foundations, civic associations, and other organisations.
In response, Fico reiterated on social media claims that Šimečka's relatives had received large sums from state and international subsidy schemes and that was the reason for his removal from the position of deputy speaker of parliament last year.
Back then, Šimečka denied these allegations. Coalition MPs were even unable to substantiate the claims of illegal conduct by Šimečka and his relatives.
On Wednesday, the Government Office issued a statement demanding Šimečka to disclose income of organisations, associations, and other entities in which his family members and close associates hold positions from years 2010 to 2025, as well as how the resources were used.
The office claims that EU authorities initiated enforcement proceedings against the civic association Projekt Fórum. Šimečka's mother is the statutory representative of the association. According to the office, the authorities demand the return of a grant amounting to nearly €160,000 because the association was unable to prove how the money was used, which poses serious reputational consequences.
In response, Šimečka said that the PM is abusing state power and using false pretexts to fabricate cases against him.
"It's absurd that the Government Office is dealing with an accounting dispute between a civic association and the European agency EACEA from 2012, as if people in Slovakia were not facing real problems," PS chair said, adding that this is another failed attempt at fabrication.
"I have nothing to do with the civic association in question, except for sharing the last name Šimečka," he concluded.
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FEATURE STORY
Interview with Bratislava Mayor
Bratislava Mayor Matúš Vallo. (source: Marko Erd)
At a recent Slovensko je Európa (Slovakia is Europe) protest, Bratislava Mayor Matúš Vallo condemned PM Robert Fico's visit to Moscow. However, as a mayor, he is dependent on cooperation with his government. Nevertheless, there were moments such as during the floods last September, when politics were pushed aside and he found a partner in Fico. Learn more in this interview with Vallo.
EVENT FOR THE WEEKEND
Fašiangy abound!
Participants of the Fašiangy procession in Limbach in 2023. (source: TASR)
A carnival parade, competition for the best mask, tastings of typical delicacies, workshops, concert and more can be had in the streets of the capital as part of its Bratislavské Fašiangy event this Saturday. However, the capital is not the only town in Slovakia that will see the Fašiangy celebrations. Trnava will hold its popular Trnafské Fašangy event. In addition to tasting delicacies as part of the popular Zabíjačka (which translates to "pig killing"; you can learn more about it here), you can look forward to making your own masks and, of course, a procession as well.
The towns of Modra, Nitra, Levice, Kremnica, Terchová, Zvolen, Košice and many more will also join on the fun. Be sure to check your local municipality to see whether it will hold an event of its own.
The roots of this tradition go back to Slavonic pagan predecessors of today's Slovaks. In villages, Fašiangy was marked by processions with masks or carollers walking around local houses, while in towns, this time of year meant balls and dance events. Find out more about it here.
IN OTHER NEWS
Slovakia will provide temporary refuge for people from Ukraine until March 4, 2026. Any further extension will be automatic and in line with decisions by the Council of the European Union. "If the reasons for temporary protection persist, the council will extend temporary protection beyond March 4, 2026," said the Interior Ministry. (TASR)
President Peter Pellegrini has yet to receive a list of new minister from Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer). No meeting of both has been scheduled. According to the president, Fico does not have any deadline as to proposing the ministers. (TASR)
Slovakia signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Red Cross for years 2025-2028. "Given the turbulent security situation in the world, with increasing erosion of international humanitarian law, our partnership and support for the Red Cross are extraordinarily important," said Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister Juraj Blanár upon meeting International Red Cross President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger in Geneva. (TASR)
In regards to the attempted assassination of PM Robert Fico last May, General Prosecutor's Office received a proposal to file an indictment against Juraj Cintula, the accused assailant, for the particularly serious crime of a terrorist attack. Further procedures will be decided by the office. The investigation file is comprised of 18 volumes with a total of 6,239 pages. If convicted, Cintula faces 25 years to life in prison. (TASR)
The government will declare the €1.2-billion battery factory in Šurany, southern Slovakia, a strategic investment next week, PM Robert Fico announced after his talks with company representatives. The factory is a joint initiative by the Chinese group Gotion and the Slovak company InoBat and would be the first of its kind in Slovakia. However, locals are opposing its construction, which is slated to begin as of late April. (TASR)
During the upcoming weekend, a section of the D1 highway will be temporarily closed in the direction from Bratislava to Žilina. This concerns the Zlaté Piesky - Triblavina section behind Bratislava, which will be closed between 20:00 on Friday, February 28 and early morning of Monday, March 3. The traffic will be redirected to the I/61 road. (TASR)
The Turovský Vodopád waterfall near the town of Zvolen in central Slovakia. When the conditions are good in winter, the 15-metre high waterfall turns into an icefall. (source: TASR)
WEATHER FOR THURSDAY: Cloudy to overcast skies, over the course of the day rain, drizzle in many places expected as well as snowing in higher altitudes. Daily temperatures will rise to between 3 °C to 12 °C. (SHMÚ)
FEBRUARY 27 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Alexander
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