Hello. Here is the latest edition of Today in Slovakia - a roundup of the main news from Tuesday, November 19, in under five minutes.
Fico meets Huliak as discontent brews within coalition
MP Rudolf Huliak in parliament on April 30, 2024 in Bratislava. (source: TASR – Jakub Kotian)
Prime Minister Robert Fico of Smer did not rule out the possibility of a snap election before 2027 over the past weekend, citing ongoing conflicts within his three-party coalition. “I refuse to maintain a governing majority by succumbing to political blackmail,” Fico said on November 17, the day Smer celebrated its birthday and Slovakia marked the fall of communism.
However, Fico appears to have begun efforts to patch up the cracks for now.
Two days later, on November 19, the prime minister met with extremist and pro-Russia MP Rudolf Huliak. Huliak, who entered parliament on the far-right Slovak National Party (SNS) slate but chairs the small National Coalition party, quit the SNS caucus weeks ago alongside MPs Pavel Ľupták and Ivan Ševčík. Their departure, over minor disputes with SNS leader Andrej Danko—known for his admiration of Vladimir Putin—has jeopardised the coalition’s slim parliamentary majority.
Until recently, Fico dismissed suggestions of a coalition crisis, likening the tensions to “family quarrels” and downplaying the need for his intervention.
The coalition holds 79 of the 150 parliamentary seats, including the three SNS defectors. Huliak is demanding greater influence, including control of one of the SNS-held ministries—environment, sport, or culture—arguing that his National Coalition was instrumental in the SNS, one of the three coalition parties, entering parliament.
“So far, no agreement has been reached,” Huliak told the conservative daily Postoj via text on Tuesday. “We will not support any government or coalition interests.”
It remains unclear what was discussed during Fico’s meeting with Huliak and the other MPs. The question of SNS-controlled ministries remains unresolved—a problem likely to further strain coalition relations. However, Ľupták revealed that Fico offered them the opportunity to attend coalition meetings as independents. Danko, for his part, refuses to sit at one table with Huliak.
“This (negotiations - Ed.) is now a question of the governing coalition’s approach to the National Coalition and their interest in securing our three votes,” said Huliak, who is barred by his party from further talks with Danko, in mid-November.
On Tuesday evening, Huliak appeared on a state radio political programme, declaring his unwavering support for Fico’s government and his opposition to a snap election. Opinion polls suggest that Fico’s Smer party is losing support, while the SNS may fail to re-enter parliament altogether.
“I assume the prime minister will tie the state budget bill to a vote of confidence, and we certainly won’t be the ones to bring down this government,” added Huliak, although he has already expressed reservations about the state budget bill.
Related: According to political scientist Aneta Világi from Comenius University in Bratislava, Robert Fico’s statement over the weekend regarding potential alternatives to the political developments leading up to the 2027 parliamentary elections is ambiguous. “I see this as an attempt to lay the groundwork for the worst,” she told the TASR news agency, adding that any solution other than a snap election would pose a problem. Recently, both Smer and Hlas, another coalition party, have been discussing changes to the electoral system.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
Immigration: The Interior Ministry seeks urgent cabinet and parliament approval for amendments to immigration laws.
Integration: Several towns have started to prioritise the integration of foreigners living within their borders. However, they face numerous challenges.
Politics: Prime Minister Robert Fico has criticised US President Joe Biden’s decision to authorise the use of US long-range missiles by Ukraine against targets in Russia.
Automotive: Slovakia has unveiled its first hydrogen truck.
Opinion: The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism serves as a tool to achieve the goal of a climate-neutral EU by 2050. The measure, together with the European Union Deforestation Regulation, has a significant impact on businesses importing goods into the EU from third countries, write Deloitte experts.
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FEATURE STORY
The legendary journey of the Šťastný brothers
An archive image of Šťastný brothers; from left Marian, Peter and Anton. (source: TASR)
The escape of the Šťastný brothers from behind the Iron Curtain reads like a Hollywood script, ultimately leading them to become NHL icons, as our writer Matúš Beňo reminds us.
EXHIBITION
Paradise Lost
A picture from the "Paradise Lost" exhibition at Danubiana. The display ends on December 8, 2024. (source: Facebook - Danubiana )
In 1969, 13 students from the University of California, Berkeley, fled to Kauai, seeking refuge from a world that had turned its back on their protest against the Vietnam War. They found sanctuary in Taylor Camp, a utopian haven of tree houses, surfing, and freedom. Captured in over 100 stunning photographs by American photographer John Wehrheim, this extraordinary community, once home to more than 130 residents, flourished in defiance of government and law. But in 1977, the dream was destroyed, leaving only memories. Discover the untold story of Taylor Camp at Danubiana in Bratislava.
IN OTHER NEWS
A police officer who beat a man to death over the theft of alcohol in Košice had planned to leave the police force in September. However, after being promoted to a commander role and given a financial incentive, he changed his mind. At the time of the incident in Košice, officer Marek A. was on one of his first field assignments in years, having previously spent a long period working behind the desk at a police station. There is no record to suggest he underwent any retraining beforehand, according to Denník N.
Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová wants to remove the head of the Monuments Board, Pavol Ižvolt, though the reasons remain unclear. Rumours are already circulating about his potential successor, Marián Comisso. The archaeologist has a questionable reputation among colleagues, lacks a licence, and owns a company in a tax haven, writes Sme.
Slovakia’s footballers claimed a 1-0 victory over Estonia in Tuesday’s Nations League C-division clash. Slovakia finished second in the group standings and will compete for promotion to a higher division in March’s play-offs against one of four sides: Georgia, Ireland, Slovenia, or Iceland. (TASR)
Last year, political parties in Slovakia received €15.2 million from private sources, including loans, donations, membership fees, and non-monetary contributions, shows an analysis by the non-governmental organisation Transparency International Slovakia. The analysis highlighted a record increase in private funding. Despite this surge, state financing continues to dominate Slovak politics, according to TIS.
The unemployment rate in Slovakia reached a historic low in October, dropping to 5.88 percent, the lowest figure recorded since 1993. The total number of unemployed individuals stood at 163,841, marking the smallest number for this period. Notably, unemployment remained below 10 percent across all districts, said the Labour Ministry.
Slovakia's tennis player Rebecca Šramková on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. Slovak tennis players have advanced to the final of the Billie Jean King Cup in Málaga, Spain, where they will face Italy on November 20 at 17:00. In the semi-finals, they secured a 2-1 victory over Great Britain. (source: AP Photo - Manu Fernandez)
WEATHER FOR WEDNESDAY: The weather will be mostly cloudy to overcast, with localised fog in the morning. Rain or showers are expected in many areas. Daytime temperatures will peak between 4°C and 9°C, reaching up to 11°C in the south. A noticeable drop in temperature is expected throughout the day. By evening, snow showers are likely in the north and at lower altitudes. Isolated patches of ice may form, particularly in northern regions. (SHMÚ)
NOVEMBER 20 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Félix.
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