Good evening. Here is the Monday, June 2 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in a few minutes.
Parliament to debate constitutional amendments
The Slovak parliament. (source: TASR)
The current parliamentary session is set to consider a series of proposed amendments to Slovakia’s constitution. According to the Sme daily, five political parties are putting forward a total of 13 proposals.
Originally initiated by PM Robert Fico (Smer), the proposals have since been joined by suggestions from the coalition parties SNS and Hlas, as well as the opposition parties KDH and Kresťanská Únia (KÚ), which is part of the Slovensko movement’s caucus.
Under Slovak law, constitutional changes require the support of at least 90 MPs. The governing coalition currently holds 79 seats, while KDH contributes 10 MPs (one of its 11 MPs, František Mikloško, opposes the changes), and KÚ holds two seats—giving a total of 91 votes. However, it remains unclear which proposals may pass, as some parties are making their support conditional on acceptance of their own amendments.
What’s being proposed: Framed by Smer as a defence against “progressivism”, its proposals include: Defining gender strictly as male and female; limiting adoption to married couples; declaring that EU law should not override Slovak legislation; increasing state control over school curricula, requiring parental consent for lessons outside the state framework; state being able to have a say in the curriculum; guaranteeing equal pay for equal work between men and women.
Hlas has proposed removing the article that establishes Slovakia as a single electoral district. SNS wants to extend the terms of mayors and city councillors from four to six years but is reportedly willing to compromise on five. KDH is calling for stronger legal protections for conscientious objection, a ban on surrogacy, and a guarantee of the child’s right to know their parents. KÚ aims to constitutionally define two genders based on biological criteria and to guarantee a fetus the right to life.
Tangled support: KDH leader Milan Majerský has said that his party’s 10 MPs will only support the amendments if KDH’s own proposals are reciprocally adopted. It is unclear whether they would vote in favour if only some of their proposals are accepted. According to Sme, some agreement has reportedly already been reached between Smer and KDH, although details have not been disclosed. Speaking on TA3 on Sunday, Majerský said value-based issues are not about political alliances: “When it comes to values, the question is whether you are for or against—not who you stand with.”
KÚ’s two MPs have also made their support conditional on the adoption of their proposals. According to Sme, some interpretations suggest that their amendments could lead to a ban on abortions, although KÚ has not explicitly proposed this and no coalition party has supported such a move.
KÚ is against the Hlas proposal to remove the single electoral district; SNS also opposes it. KDH has not taken an explicit position, although it has indicated interest in discussing the issue. The SNS proposal appears to lack broader support in parliament.
What the president says: In an interview with private TV JOJ 24, President Peter Pellegrini criticised the timing of the constitutional amendments, suggesting they are a distraction from more urgent concerns.
“I don’t think changing the constitution is the most important issue today, when we should be addressing problems in our economy, society, quality of life, and inadequate infrastructure,” he said. “Politicians are skilled at raising topics that crowd out the public space and divert attention from what truly concerns people. And I could name several such topics.”
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
LAST WEEK: The Central bank governor was found guilty, but PM Robert Fico has accused the judge. For him, personal disloyalty is worse than corruption.
BUSINESS: The hidden costs of Slovakia’s complicated tax system:
Lawyer Peter Slávik talks about the pitfalls of tax inspection and legal loopholes.
EXTREMISM: A neo-Nazi gang in Bratislava plotted armed attack and called their leader ‘Mr Führer’, court documents reveal.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Bratislava Region simplifies transport zones, raises fares. However, the Petržalka tram launch has been postponed again, with no date set.
TRAVEL: The iconic chairlift in Slovak Paradise National Park has been closed as a precaution following safety concerns raised by a recent cable car incident in Spain.
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FEATURE STORY
Fancy a beer with a hint of wafer?
Denis and Zuzana Kuzl. (source: Archive of D. K. and Z. K. )
After the pandemic, Zuzana and Denis Kuzl began considering a move abroad to start a new chapter in life. She was a manager, he worked in a brewery. After their first weekend trip to Porto, Portugal, they quit their jobs and relocated to the other side of Europe to open a craft beer brewery called Baobab. The first year was tough, but today Baobab is one of the highest-rated and most beloved venues in all of Porto, and Zuzana and Denis are now familiar faces in the local craft beer community.
EVENT FOR THE WEEKEND
Time to visit parks and gardens
Budatín Castle in Žilina. (source: TASR)
Parks and gardens are a cherished part of everyday life, offering a chance to enjoy nature, scents and tranquillity. From June 6 to 8, Slovakia will once again take part in the popular international Weekend of Open Parks and Gardens festival. More than 100 locations across the country—including historic cemeteries, arboretums, town squares, farms and normally inaccessible sites—will open to the public. The 17th edition of the festival carries the theme Stone in the Garden, which will be reflected in various creative ways. Most venues will offer free admission. You can find detailed information here.
IN OTHER NEWS
After seven years, politics reporter Gabriela Kajtárová has resigned from private broadcaster TV Markíza, stating that the channel is no longer what it was when she joined. She criticised the delayed airing of strong political news during its flagship Televízne noviny news programme, which she says now prioritises weather and gardening segments. Among her other concerns were the removal of Viktor Vincze, head of the station’s trade union, from his presenting role and the publication of articles citing anonymous criticism of Vincze, which Kajtárová called a "targeted attack". She also criticised CEO Peter Gažík, who said last week that employees who disagree with management’s direction are free to leave. (SME)
PM Robert Fico (Smer) has called Czech MEP Tomáš Zdechovský a "hired political murderer", prompting a strong response from the MEP, who said Fico had crossed a line. Zdechovský recently led an EU delegation to Slovakia to investigate the use of EU funds, amid allegations of misuse by senior Slovak officials. He later stated that millions of euros are being stolen in Slovakia. The visit drew sharp criticism from Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok (Hlas). Following Fico’s comments, Zdechovský reported receiving death threats and has sought protection for his family. He has also appealed to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola to intervene. (SME, Forum24)
A four-member delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs arrived in Bratislava on Monday to assess the state of democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights in Slovakia. The delegation plans to meet government, parliamentary and judicial representatives, as well as the ombudsman, media outlets, NGOs and others working in the field of human rights and non-discrimination. (TASR)
Flowering rapeseed with the High Tatras in the background. (source: TASR)
President Peter Pellegrini has confirmed Slovakia’s support for the proposed increase in defence spending within NATO. After he arrived at the Bucharest Nine summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, he said Europe should play a greater role in the alliance's defence efforts. "I fully support spending more, and we need to strengthen the European pillar in NATO," he stated. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has proposed raising defence spending to 5 percent of GDP, with 3.5 percent earmarked for direct defence and 1.5 percent for related expenditures. (TASR)
In an interview with JOJ 24 news channel, President Peter Pellegrini once again criticised MP Peter Kotlár, the government-appointed investigator of Slovakia’s Covid-19 response. Pellegrini said Kotlár is failing to deliver a proper report on pandemic management and is instead spreading fear with unscientific claims that could discourage vaccination against diseases that no longer cause deaths in the country. (Noviny.sk)
Ombudsman Róbert Dobrovodský has identified systemic problems in how Slovakia addresses police violence, particularly the long-overdue introduction of body cameras, which his office has recommended for 13 years. He also called for improvements in detention conditions: access to fresh air for detainees held over 24 hours, greater privacy during searches and toilet use, and better material standards in detention cells. According to his spokesperson, Branislav Grígač, the Police Corps and Interior Ministry plan to procure body cameras and have expressed willingness to implement the suggested changes. (SITA)
PM Fico has admitted that the coalition is nervous about the planned transaction tax but sees no alternative. The tax is part of consolidation measures intended to raise €700 million. Although SNS supported the tax initially, its chair Andrej Danko now wants exemptions for the self-employed and small businesses. Fico said he needs an alternative proposal from Danko to make up for the potential shortfall, suggesting it could involve scrapping two public holidays—one state, one religious. (TASR)
Writer, screenwriter and director Eva Borušovičová has died at the age of 55. She was known for her work on films and stage productions, including the screenplay for Jánošík: A True Story, directed by Agnieszka Holland. She also directed her own plays and films.
Fans at the Iron Maiden concert in Bratislava on June 1. (source: TASR)
WEATHER FOR TUESDAY: Expect cloudy to overcast skies with showers, rain and isolated thunderstorms across much of Slovakia. A level 1 storm warning is in place for the south and east, while a level 2 warning apply to the west and north-west. Rain and cloud cover should ease later in the day. Temperatures will range between 18°C and 27°C. (SHMÚ)
JUNE 3 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Karolína
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