Good evening. Here is the Monday, May 12 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
PM Fico defends his trip amid criticism
PM Robert Fico. (source: TASR)
Speaking at another Sunday press conference, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer) said he is not worried about a potential worsening of relations between Slovakia and its EU and NATO partners following his recent visit to Moscow for celebrations marking the end of World War II.
Fico was the only EU leader to attend the event—an act Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described as "heroic".
After returning to Slovakia, Fico described the trip as a major diplomatic success. He claimed that discussions with leaders from China, Brazil and Vietnam could help Slovakia boost exports of military equipment to those countries or contribute to nuclear power plant development.
However, Fico's coalition partner Hlas appeared to distance themselves from the visit. Hlas chair and Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok described the trip as "more of a personal initiative than an official state visit." Education Minister Tomáš Drucker added that the prime minister "was not there on behalf of the entire coalition, but in the interest of Smer." He also pointed out that Russia invaded a free country more than three years ago and continues to occupy it. Drucker underlined the need for Slovakia to strengthen, not weaken, relations with its allies.
Despite this, Fico travelled to Moscow on a government aircraft and repeatedly stated that he was speaking on Slovakia’s behalf.
The opposition strongly criticised the trip. KDH chair Milan Majerský called it "a disgrace," with the party later adding that Fico's foreign policy is damaging to Slovakia. They also criticised Hlas for trying to avoid responsibility. KDH demanded transparency, asking who paid for the trip, who organised it, and who was part of the delegation.
Progressive Slovakia (PS) said the visit sent "a terrible message about Slovakia," and described Fico as "a prime minister of war who betrayed Slovakia's interests." The party urged him to engage in talks with Slovakia's key international partners in the coming months.
"We are giving you six months to hold bilateral meetings with the French president, the new German chancellor, the Polish prime minister, the British prime minister and others. What you managed in six hours with dictators, we expect you can manage in six months with our real partners," said PS's Ivan Korčok, a former foreign minister and diplomat.
The Slovensko movement went even further, calling the trip "a criminal act" and declaring that Fico would be remembered as "the one traitor from within the EU who went to support the mass murderer Putin in Moscow."
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
LAST WEEK: PM Fico went to Moscow and he has a new talking point.
He also wants Russia's friendship, but anyone who knows history knows what that means.
POLITICS: Slovakia's high-profile legal case involving a lawyer tied to the country’s murky underworld of politics, policing and organised crime has ended in an abrupt turnaround.
ICE HOCKEY: Bouncing back from a defeat to Sweden, Slovakia found rhythm against Slovenia to claim the first World Championship win over the weekend.
RELATIONS: UK has appointed Bilal Zahid, a diplomat with eastern Europe experience, as the new ambassador to Slovakia. He will take up the post in September.
REAL ESTATE: After years of investment neglect, Zlaté Piesky, a popular Bratislava recreation area, will soon receive an uplift.
BUSINESS: A Slovak biofuel company expands from regional to global player as it announces investments in India, Brazil.
ENVIRONMENT: Old tannery landfills in western Slovakia are to be cleaned up after decades of neglect.
If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription with no ads and a print copy of The Slovak Spectator sent to your home in Slovakia. Thank you.
FEATURE STORY
Luxury in Bratislava and where to find it
Bratislava. (source: TASR)
Bratislava is often overlooked as a destination for the high-end traveller. The city’s reputation tends to be founded on its modest, undiscovered qualities and low prices.
Yet Slovakia actually has a remarkably modern capital, with luxurious hotels on the banks of one of Europe’s most spectacular rivers, as well numerous glorious old buildings containing exquisite restaurants, boutiques and spas.
EVENT FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS
Ukrainian cinema
The Kino Lumiere cinema. (source: SME - Marko Erd)
A selection of Ukrainian films exploring how war transforms identity, shapes memory, and even affects the lives of animals, will be screened at the Kino Lumiere cinema in Bratislava from 14 to 16 May as part of the Ukrainian Film Days. The films have been recognised at international festivals. Discover the full programme and get your tickets here.
IN OTHER NEWS
The Former environment minister Ján Budaj has been accused of ongoing criminal misconduct involving the mismanagement of public funds. He allegedly misused Environment Ministry money in an inefficient, wasteful, and purposeless manner, causing damages of nearly €570,000. In response, Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok said the case proves that no one is above the law in Slovakia. (TASR)
The trial of Juraj Cintula, the man who nearly a year ago shot Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer) in Handlová, western Slovakia, will begin on 8 July at the Specialised Criminal Court, with another hearing scheduled for the following day. Cintula remains in custody and is facing charges of an aggravated terrorist attack—a classification that has caused difficulties in previous cases. If convicted, he could face a life sentence. The case, which is under embargo and has been controversially linked by the ruling coalition to the opposition, consists of 18 volumes and over 6,200 pages. (SITA)
Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok and Health Minister Kamil Šaško (both from Hlas) have ruled out any discussion on the decriminalisation of drugs, including soft drugs. Šaško is preparing new legislation aimed at enabling a faster and more effective response to new drugs appearing on the market. (TASR)
The Bojnice Zoo in western Slovakia reopened on Monday after foot-and-mouth disease restrictions were eased. Animal imports into farms in the Trenčín, Žilina, Banská Bystrica, Prešov, and Košice Regions are now permitted. Zoos and other animal exhibition facilities in these regions may also reopen, though visitors must undergo disinfection and are not allowed to touch or feed the animals. The restrictions remain unchanged in the Bratislava, Trnava, and Nitra Regions. (source: TASR)
Martina Flašíková has been elected as the new general director of the public broadcaster STVR, receiving seven out of nine votes. She has previously headed the broadcaster's television section. The public was not permitted to attend the hearings, a decision criticised by the opposition. MPs were allowed to observe but were not permitted to ask questions. The Slovensko movement has raised concerns over Flašíková’s family ties—she is the daughter of the late Fedor Flašík, who managed Smer election campaigns—warning that STVR may now become a tool for "government propaganda". Progressive Slovakia acknowledged the quality of her proposed project but said her connections raise doubts. (TASR)
Speaking on the V Politike (In Politics) programme on Sunday, SNS leader Andrej Danko reaffirmed his push to abolish the transaction tax for sole traders and small businesses. However, he said he would not bring down the government over the issue, even if Prime Minister Fico were to tie the vote to a vote of confidence. If the proposal fails in the next parliamentary session, Danko plans to keep submitting it. Fico later stated he is open to discussions but wants coalition partners to propose ways to offset any potential revenue shortfalls. (TASR)
Last week, a professional soldier based in eastern Slovakia sustained a gunshot wound. He was first transported to hospital in Trebišov and later moved to Košice. Although his condition is serious, it is not life-threatening. Recovery is expected to take 42 days. The circumstances of the incident are still under investigation, and a criminal case for assault has been initiated. (TASR)
Slovakia lost their Monday match against Austria in a shootout, with the final score 3–2. (source: TASR)
WEATHER FOR TUESDAY: Cloud cover will vary throughout the day, with occasional showers in central Slovakia. Daily temperatures are expected to reach between 14°C and 19°C. A Level 1 ground frost warning is in effect for most of the country, excluding the south-western and southern regions. (SHMÚ)
MAY 13 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Servác
Thank you for subscribing and reading. It means a lot to us.
P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.
Follow The Slovak Spectator on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram(@slovakspectator).
