Good evening. Here is the Wednesday, June 18 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in a few minutes.
Opposition slams “amateurish” police raid on ex-minister
Jaroslav Naď. (source: TASR)
On Wednesday, Slovak police attempted to detain former defence minister and Demokrati party chair Jaroslav Naď, despite the fact he is currently in Canada—a trip he had publicly announced on social media several days earlier, according to the news first broke by the Denník N daily.
Background to the case: The attempted arrest was part of a series of nationwide raids carried out by the Office for Combating Organised Crime (ÚBOK) and the Darca (Donor) team, which was set up late last year. These operations follow a report highlighting irregularities in records related to military equipment donated to Ukraine.
The Sme daily confirmed that the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) had launched criminal proceedings over suspected embezzlement of €7.4 million earmarked for military assistance to Ukraine. The case concerns the Defence Ministry’s purchase of ammunition from the state-owned arms company Konštrukta Defence, which was later donated to Ukraine. The EU reimbursed Slovakia for the transaction. An EPPO prosecutor has taken exclusive control over releasing information to the public.
Eight individuals were detained, including former Konštrukta Defence director Alexander Gurský and four civil servants from the Defence Ministry, reported the TASR newswire.
Demokrati’s response: The Demokrati party expressed full support for its chair, saying it respects the EPPO investigation and is cooperating with authorities. The party also opined that the EPPO had not issued a warrant for Naď’s detention, and accused the police of being used for political purposes.
“Our actions were correct, lawful, went through all the proper stages and institutions, and followed the legislative process,” said Demokrati vice-chair and former prime minister Eduard Heger, under whom Naď served as defence minister, as quoted by TASR. “We have no fear of an investigation.”
Speaking to Sme, Demokrati vice-chair Juraj Šeliga claimed that police officers said they had been explicitly ordered to detain Naď.
Naď himself responded on social media, saying he was not surprised by the attempt to detain him, but found it surprising that police were unaware he was out of the country. He accused the ruling coalition of trying to distract from its failures by targeting the opposition. Naď added that he would make himself available to police upon his return, but at the moment will answer their phone calls.
At present, no charges have been filed against him.
Opposition reactions: Juraj Krúpa, an MP for the SaS party, described the attempted detention as “amateurish,” given that Naď had publicly stated he was abroad. However, he acknowledged that any suspicions should be investigated. He also suggested the coalition is frustrated by its inability to prosecute the previous government over the donation of the S-300 air defence system. “They think they’ve found something interesting,” he said, as quoted by TASR.
Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Šimečka called the move to detain Naď a political stunt and an act of revenge.
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HISTORY: Most spas in Slovakia have long disappeared or fallen into disrepair, and historical postcards often remain the only record of their former beauty and elegance.
TRAVEL: Štrbské Pleso, one of Slovakia’s most visited ski resorts located in the High Tatras, is preparing for a major upgrade.
SLOVAK MATTERS: From ‘You’re a champ’ to ‘You saved my life’: A Slovak guide to saying something nice.
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FEATURE STORY
The Slovak satellite that competed with NASA
The GRBAlpha satellite. (source: Faculty of Aeronautics of the Technical University of Košice)
The European Space Agency once described it as “the world’s smallest astrophysics space observatory.” When the Slovak satellite GRBAlpha launched in 2021, expectations were modest. But it went on to become the first cubesat to detect a gamma-ray burst—a feat previously reserved for much larger, costlier telescopes. Its mission ended in early June, when it burned up in the atmosphere.
EVENT FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS
Celebrating folklore
A still from a previous edition of the folklore festival in Myjava, western Slovakia. (source: TASR)
Travelling from remote Easter Island—located 3,500 kilometres from the nearest continent—the Mana Ma'ohi folklore ensemble will be among the international acts performing at the 65th edition of the MYJAVA 2025 folk festival. Visitors can look forward to dance workshops, cuisine, a traditional procession and performances by groups from around the world, including a polyphonic ensemble from Albania whose unique singing style is on UNESCO’s intangible heritage list. Although the event begins on Wednesday, the full programme runs from Friday evening through Sunday. Daily admission starts at €11. Find out more here.
IN OTHER NEWS
“Slovakia is a member of the EU and NATO, and that is its safe space,” said Interior Minister and Hlas chair Matúš Šutaj Eštok, echoing the government programme and the memorandum of three highest constitutional officials. This came as a response to Prime Minister Robert Fico’s remarks that neutrality might suit the country. Šutaj Eštok insisted nothing would change as long as Hlas is part of the coalition. Labour Minister Erik Tomáš (also Hlas) echoed the sentiment, saying NATO membership suits Slovakia well. Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák (Smer) called the neutrality debate legitimate but noted it would require mandatory military service, which he does not support. Agriculture Minister Richard Takáč (Smer) said the comments were “not necessarily bad.” (TASR)
Following Hlas's party congress this Saturday, MP Ján Ferenčák—one of the MPs who did not support a constitutional amendment—will be removed from the party’s board. He told journalists that party leader Matúš Šutaj Eštok excluded him from the board due to a loss of trust and his recent political positions. Ferenčák was one of four Hlas MPs who threatened the coalition’s parliamentary majority earlier this year. He believes Šutaj Eštok won’t face a leadership challenge unless Hlas's poll numbers drop below 6 percent. Current polls place the party between 8 and 12 percent behind Progressive Slovakia and Smer and sometimes even competing for the third place with non-parliamenary far-right Republika. (TASR)
Kia Slovakia has started production of a new version of the fifth-generation Sportage at its Teplička nad Váhom plant in northern Slovakia. The vehicle is set for release in the third quarter of 2025. Production of the Sportage model began in 2007; more than 2.7 million units have been manufactured since, with most exported to the UK. (source: TASR)
Opposition MP Martin Dubéci of Progressive Slovakia was elected Deputy Speaker of Parliament in a secret ballot, filling the post traditionally held by the opposition. He joins coalition Deputy Speakers Tibor Gašpar (Smer), Andrej Danko (SNS), and Peter Žiga (Hlas). The post had been vacant since September 2024, when Michal Šimečka was removed and declined to run again. (TASR)
Parliament rejected an amendment to the Act on Prosecutors and Legal Aides, which included provisions for a life annuity for the prosecutor-general. None of the 148 MPs present voted in favour; 70 opposed it and 78 abstained. The bill had previously been vetoed by President Peter Pellegrini. Wednesday marked the final regular parliamentary session before the summer recess. MPs will return on September 9. Several proposals were postponed, including opposition motions to dismiss ministers and the so-called “Covid amnesties.” (TASR)
Slovak soldiers are assisting with the evacuation of Slovak nationals from Jordan, Israel, and Lebanon. Depending on numbers, evacuees may be flown directly to Slovakia or via Cyprus. So far, 15 foreign nationals from both EU and non-EU countries have also been evacuated. Another flight carrying 83 passengers of various nationalities is set to arrive in Slovakia. (TASR)
Spring 2025 was Slovakia’s 17th warmest on record. Dry conditions that began last winter persisted through the spring. “This period gave us a very poor basis for avoiding drought,” said climatologist Pavol Faško. “Precipitation was scarce, and with expected heatwaves and dry spells, the drought will almost certainly worsen in the coming weeks.” (TASR, SHMÚ)
From left: Adam Obert and Dominik Hollý (both Slovakia) celebrate after scoring a goal. Slovakia’s under-21 national football team ended their Euros campaign with a 2-1 victory over Romania on Tuesday. (source: TASR)
WEATHER FOR THURSDAY: Expect partly cloudy to overcast skies with occasional showers or thunderstorms, especially in the north. Daytime temperatures will reach 27°C to 32°C, or 22°C to 27°C in the northern regions. (SHMÚ)
JUNE 19 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Alfréd
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