Hello from Bratislava, where the story of the day has been a swarm of Russian drones that strayed into Poland — and a clumsy response from Prime Minister Robert Fico’s pike.
This is the Wednesday, 10 September edition of Today in Slovakia.
Everyone is also talking about the government’s third consolidation package. Depending on who you ask, it is disastrous and incomplete — or both. Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenický (Smer) presented it on Tuesday afternoon, the cabinet signed it off on Wednesday, and the guessing game began.
Fico, as expected, treated the country to another video sermon. It opened with his usual complaints about previous governments — including the powerless technocratic cabinet of now-MEP Ľudovít Ódor (2023), which left behind its “Lego cubes” blueprint for stabilising public finances. Kamenický, to the shock of many, borrowed a few cubes for his own plan — despite blasting them before.
In the video, Fico admitted the package was not perfect: “This consolidation isn’t perfect either,” he said. But, he insisted, there is no reason to feel guilty about it. Third time’s the charm — or shame? Either way, foreign markets are watching. One thing Fico is not going to touch: the generous 13th pensions. Slovakia cannot afford them, but they will stay. What is still unclear: can the state really deliver the €1+ billion in savings Kamenický touted yesterday? There will be less shopping, travelling, spending, Fico said, as he announced his government would adopt measures against ‘billion-euro’ tax evasions. So far, companies and workers have shouldered the burden while the state has watched.
The backlash was swift. Even Catholic bishops bristled when they learned that 6 January — Three Kings’ Day — might lose its public holiday status in 2026. They demanded “open dialogue” with the government. They are hardly alone. Smer MP Tibor Gašpar suggested the holiday might survive after all, though his track record on such claims is not the strongest.
Progressive Slovakia has already called a protest for next Tuesday. President Peter Pellegrini, speaking from Japan, also piled on. He said he was “taken aback” that the package aims to save nearly €3 billion instead of the €1 billion originally promised. “Something’s not right,” he warned, adding that Kamenický’s measures risk choking already weak growth and tipping the country into recession. He also complained the plan was thrown together at the last minute, with no expert discussion.
Pellegrini did not stop there. On the drone incident, he called it “a dangerous event” and reminded Slovaks that their country has no air defence system. One is on order from Israel, but for now? “If those drones had crossed into eastern Slovakia, all we could do was watch — and hope they crashed in a forest,” he said. Slovakia, he concluded, is “bare” and “shoeless” in this regard.
And that brings us to today’s main theme.
Drones over Poland, Fico hedges
Warsaw says Russian drones violated Polish airspace at least 19 times overnight Tuesday into Wednesday — first at 23:30 CET, last at 6:30. Polish and allied jets shot down three drones and say a fourth was likely destroyed. Debris of a missile was also discovered on Polish soil.
The Russian military insists it was not targeting Poland.
For the first time, Polish officials said a significant portion of the drones came via Belarus — just days before Minsk and Moscow kick off the Zapad (West) 2025 war games.
Poland, Slovakia’s neighbour, has formally triggered Article 4 consultations of the Washington Treaty, pulling allies into the room whenever a member’s security or territorial integrity feels at risk.
WHAT BRATISLAVA SAYS
Fico hedges: Slovakia’s PM Robert Fico (Smer) called the incident “serious” but would not say more until facts are clearer. Fico’s line: It’s “vital to establish objectively” whether the drone strikes were deliberate or accidental — and whose hands were on the controls. He offered Poland solidarity — but also used the moment to bash the opposition for giving Ukraine the S-300 air defence system.
Blanár all in: Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár (Smer), Fico’s pike, struck a more straightforward line: “absolute solidarity” with Poland, full support for Article 4, though he mused the drones may not have been aimed at Polish targets at all. “I want to believe that the drones which entered Polish territory were not meant to attack Poland, but were intended to end up in Ukrainian airspace,” he said.
Kaliňák cautious: The defence minister, Robert Kaliňák (Smer), does not see grounds (yet) to convene Slovakia’s Security Council. He said if deliberate, the incursion would amount to “an outright attack”.
SMER-IOUSLY?
Some Smer figures are not buying the narrative. Parliamentary VP Tibor Gašpar (Smer) questioned whether the drones were even Russian, accusing the West of trying to drag NATO into war. He blasted EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas as a “warmonger” bent on sparking World War III after she suggested Moscow deliberately targeted Poland with drones.
OPPOSITION POUNCES
Veronika Remišová (Za ľudí): Called Fico “a Kremlin agent” and demanded he convene the Security Council.
Slovensko movement: Says the government is weakening the country’s defence posture.
KDH: Wants a full investigation and clarity on whether Slovakia could face the same.
SaS MP Juraj Krúpa: Says eastern Slovaks “have every reason to be worried” — but insists the real danger is not the missing S-300, it is Russia’s endless provocations. His jab: the S-300 Slovakia handed to Ukraine after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 had only a 75-km range and was “parked in a garage in central Slovakia” — nowhere near covering the east. He adds that even past Smer governments admitted the old system was inadequate.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
Volvo jobs: Volvo is kicking off a hiring spree in Slovakia, with 1,000 new recruits needed this year for its giant EV plant.
Rail link: Slovakia’s first direct trains to Ukraine’s Uzhhorod roll out, marking a milestone in Kyiv’s shift to European-gauge tracks.
Mafia drama: Police stormed a Slovak restaurant to detain Cologne crime boss Necati Coskun Arabaci — only to release him hours later.
Early exit: Slovakia’s generous early retirement reform is draining budgets and stripping vital sectors of seasoned workers.
Time capsule: A lightning strike in a tiny Slovak village toppled a church spire, revealing a 167-year-old time capsule hidden inside.
Bratislava buzz: From Austin Butler on the big screen to the Slovak Philharmonic and Ricky Martin’s December gig, here are 10 events foreigners shouldn’t miss.
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TRAVEL
Borderland secrets
Nové Zámky is a Slovak district shaped by gerrymandered borders but rich in surprises — from thermal pools found while drilling for oil, to organic wines poured in former tobacco barns, to sleek new wineries rising over the Danube. For visitors, it is a patchwork of spas, vineyards and history that rewards more than just a day trip.
China’s billion-euro bet on Slovakia
A new study by Prague’s Association for International Affairs says Chinese investment in Slovak e-mobility could deliver more research and development than in neighbouring states — but questions the “green” credentials and warns of growing dependence on Beijing.
The deals: In Šurany, China’s Gotion and Slovak firm InoBat plan a €1 billion battery plant. Near Košice, Volvo — now controlled by China’s Geely — is preparing an EV factory. Both projects come with hefty state incentives.
The analysis: Researcher Dominika Remžová argues Slovakia has more scope for high-tech processes than Hungary, Poland or Czechia. But she notes Chinese environmental standards lag the EU, and Fico’s government has downplayed the risks.
Dependence dilemma: Slovakia is the EU’s second-largest SUV exporter to China (78 percent of its China sales are SUVs) and has the highest China exposure in the V4.
The fix: The report does not call for rejecting Chinese cash — but urges Bratislava to adopt full ESG rules to keep investment sustainable.
IN OTHER NEWS
Slovakia’s President Peter Pellegrini has lost a fifth of his supporters in his first year, with trust now dipping below 40 percent — the reverse trajectory of Zuzana Čaputová and Andrej Kiska, who both saw their ratings climb early on. (Denník N)
Slovak taxpayers who clear their overdue tax principal by mid-2026 will escape both penalties and late-payment interest, the government decided.
Passengers on the Bratislava–Banská Bystrica route will face rail-to-bus transfers at least until December, as track closures shift to a new section.
Slovakia has picked “Father” as its contender for Best International Feature at the 98th Academy Awards, announced at the opening of the Cinematik film festival in Piešťany.
Slovakia’s industry shrank 4.6 percent year-on-year in July, dragged down by weaker energy, metal, machinery and transport output — marking the fourth straight monthly drop and the sixth decline this year, with March the lone exception, according to the Statistics Office.
School holidays will run until 7 January as planned, even though Epiphany (6 January) will be a working day next year, Education Minister Tomáš Drucker confirmed.
Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár condemned Israel’s strike on Hamas leaders in Doha as a breach of international law and norms of peace negotiations.
THURSDAY WEATHER BRIEFING: Cloudy with showers or heavier rain in many areas, easing from the west later with clearer skies. Highs 21°C–26°C, around 19°C in the north. (SHMÚ)
NAME DAY: Best wishes to everyone named Bystrík celebrating their name day in Slovakia this Thursday.
BEFORE WE GO: The Brazilian Embassy in Bratislava launches the third Brazilslava festival on 16 September, with Kino Lumière hosting a four-day film week showcasing Brazil’s nature, history, society and humour.
That’s a wrap — thanks for reading and sticking with us. Back in your inbox on Thursday, as always.
P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at [email protected].
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