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Pellegrini’s defence spending gambit lands with a thud in Bratislava
Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda, right, welcomes Slovakia's President Peter Pellegrini during arrivals for the Vilnius Summit at the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania in Vilnius, Lithuania, Monday, June 2, 2025. (source: TASR/AP)
President Peter Pellegrini made waves in Vilnius on Monday, telling NATO’s eastern flank allies that Slovakia backs a jump in defence spending to 3.5 percent of GDP – plus another 1.5 percent for so-called “dual-use” investments, like railways or hospitals that could serve military purposes. His message? Europe must shoulder more of its own defence burden.
But back home, coalition politicians were less than thrilled.
Wait, what? Pellegrini’s proposal caught much of the Slovak government off guard. Prime Minister Robert Fico did not even comment – he was busy visiting Italian PM Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday. The president said he consulted with Slovakia’s NATO envoy and Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák (both from Fico’s Smer party), but not with the PM himself.
Not binding, not now – That’s the consensus among the ruling coalition. Hlas (Pellegrini’s own former party) called his remarks a “long-term vision”. Smer insisted such a dramatic increase needs a “public debate”. SNS boss Andrej Danko – a Kremlin-friendly firebrand – slammed the idea as economic suicide. “That’s nearly €3.5 billion a year,” he fumed, warning of “World War III.”
No tanks before pensions – Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok (Hlas) said any spending hike must wait. “We won’t do it at the expense of retirees and working families,” he said. Even the current 2 percent NATO target should prioritise dual-use projects, he added – not jets and tanks.
Is it even the president’s job? Critics in parliament reminded everyone: the president does not set the budget. That’s the government’s job. Smer MP Richard Glück called for a “national debate” before any major shift. Fico himself previously floated a referendum on defence spending, framing it as a choice between guns and pensions.
What’s next? NATO leaders meet in The Hague later this month. Pellegrini will represent Slovakia. Whether he speaks for the whole government remains anyone’s guess.
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SLOVAKS ABROAD
A transatlantic tale of Rusyn roots
(source: Karen Chorba)
Karen Chorba’s deep dive into her Slovak and Carpatho-Rusyn ancestry charts a journey from the rugged coal towns of Pennsylvania to the pastoral hills of eastern Slovakia. Her family’s hard-won American dream – founded on grit, faith and tradition – finds new meaning in a heartfelt reconnection with relatives left behind. Her story features in the Global Slovakia book “Slovak Settlers”.
ROAD CRASH
Deadly crash in southern Slovakia reignites infrastructure debate
A serious road accident occurred on Tuesday, June 3, on the road between Kolárovo and Balvany in southern Slovakia. (source: Polícia SR - Nitriansky kraj)
A horrific road crash near Kolárovo on Tuesday morning has left four people dead and nine others injured, spotlighting long-standing concerns over road safety and infrastructure neglect in Slovakia’s south.
The collision – involving a minibus, a van and a lorry with a trailer – occurred shortly before 5:30 on the road between Kolárovo and Balvany, part of the Kameničná municipality. The minibus, according to Kolárovo Mayor Béla Halász, was carrying workers en route to jobs in the town. Three of the fatalities – two women and a man – are believed to have been passengers in the minibus.
The latest incident echoes a similarly devastating crash in September 2021, when four young friends from Kolárovo were killed after a Polish truck veered into oncoming traffic, crushing their car near Zemné.
The underlying issue? Infrastructure. Local officials say they have had enough. Halász and other regional leaders have repeatedly called for the modernisation of southern Slovakia’s crumbling roads and the completion of the R7 expressway. Despite petitions and political pressure, pleas to divert heavy truck traffic from village roads have largely gone unanswered.
“The roads may have a new layer of asphalt,” Halász said, “but they are no safer.”
IN OTHER NEWS
Slovakia may not be the next Hungary, but MEPs see worrying signs it is heading in a similar direction, Belgian MEP Sophie Wilmes warned after leading a European Parliament mission to Bratislava. Despite more constructive engagement from Prime Minister Robert Fico’s government, the delegation voiced serious concerns about judicial reforms, anti-media rhetoric and democratic backsliding. (Sme)
The OECD has slashed Slovakia’s 2025 growth forecast from 2.4 to 1.4 percent, citing rising global trade barriers and weakening demand in the key automotive sector.
A Donatello bust was secretly moved from Levoča to Topoľčianky, according to Aktuality, contradicting Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová’s claim that it was taken to Bratislava. Sources say the artwork is now stored at a security logistics centre run by the Interior Ministry – despite the facility not being intended for cultural artefacts.
The National Enlightenment Centre (Národné osvetové centrum) has banned stand-up shows from the satirical formats Bratislavský kaviár and Silné reči at Bratislava’s V-klub, deeming them “unworthy” of the venue. Comedian Matej Adámy quipped that the government would prefer satire to stay confined to parliament.
Prime Minister Robert Fico praised Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni as a pragmatic leader following talks in Rome on Tuesday. He said she is open to discussing all issues and is not interested in hearing only the “obligatory opinions”. (source: TASR/AP)
The Economy Ministry, under Smer-appointed leadership, secretly spent millions on the now-defunct crisis management IT system Iskra, which was ultimately deemed unnecessary. Former top security official Aurel Ugor, who later held a senior role at the ministry, is now on trial for misuse of public funds, with damages estimated at over €9.7 million. The case – long shielded by secrecy and political ties – has become a textbook example of unchecked public spending. (Sme)
A Ukrainian ambulance damaged by a Russian drone and displayed in the Slovak town of Martin was defaced with Nazi symbols and the word “fascists” overnight. The vandalism, featuring two large swastikas, has drawn sharp condemnation. A comparable act of vandalism took place in Žilina. (My Turiec)
Jailed extremist Daniel Bombic has resumed sending audio messages from behind bars, this time directing pointed questions at Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák (Smer) over his continued support for a nearly €800 million Israeli arms deal. Bombic accuses Kaliňák of silence on Gaza and implies external pressure behind the missile purchase. The antisemitic agitator also wants his Facebook privileges restored – and invites the minister for a prison chat. (Sme)
WEDNESDAY WEATHER BRIEFING: Partly cloudy, with occasional spells of increased cloud and isolated showers. Patchy morning fog possible. Very warm and locally humid. Daytime highs: 28°C to 33°C, around 26°C in northern regions. (SHMÚ)
High Tatras as seen from Tatranská Lomnica on June 1, 2025. (source: TASR - František Iván)
HAPPY NAME DAY: June 4 is a special day for Lenka, so if you know one, don’t forget to send your warmest wishes. Všetko najlepšie!
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