Greetings! This is Today in Slovakia – Thursday, 31 July edition.
Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok on Thursday dismissed Czech intelligence reports alleging that a Ukrainian man — suspected of sending threatening messages to Slovak and other schools — had ties to Russia. He called it “a hoax”. The Czech Security Information Service (BIS) maintains the man was funded by Moscow.
The response fits a familiar pattern in Bratislava. Just days earlier, Prime Minister Robert Fico was publicly musing about how “the West” is prolonging the war in Ukraine and insisting that Russia’s economy is in better shape than Germany’s. Criticism of Moscow? Correct — none.
But the latest foreign policy spat erupted on Tuesday, after Fico lashed out at the UK over alleged meddling in Slovakia’s 2023 elections. That prompted President Peter Pellegrini to step in on Thursday — and he is not happy about outsiders weighing in on his country’s democracy.
Pellegrini hits out at alleged UK meddling in Slovak elections
President Peter Pellegrini (source: SME/Jozef Jakubčo)
Slovak President Peter Pellegrini has taken a swipe at London after allegations emerged that Britain funnelled cash to boost turnout among young voters in Slovakia’s 2023 parliamentary elections.
A message for London: Posting on social media, Pellegrini said Slovakia’s elections are “not a problem for another state to solve” and warned that any such intervention should be handled “transparently and in advance”. He expressed confidence that the UK “understands Slovakia’s position” and would answer Bratislava’s questions in good faith.
Follow the money: The row stems from reports that the UK government spent £10 million of taxpayers’ money to encourage youth voter participation abroad via a media agency. Pellegrini noted, with a pointed jab, that turnout in Slovakia has been rising — unlike in Britain, which saw a drop in last year’s general election. “Isn’t boosting turnout more of a challenge for British governments at home?” he quipped.
Trust on the line: The Slovak president, a self-declared staunch supporter of EU and NATO membership and PM Fico’s ally, questioned who really risks damaging allied trust: “Is it the state that secretly spends public funds to influence elections in an allied country, or the state that calls it out?”
Imagine the reverse: He went further, musing on the hypothetical outrage in London if, say, a foreign government spent its own budget to mobilise UK-based voters — “for instance, migrants with the right to vote”.
Finger-pointing continues: Pellegrini also dismissed opposition criticism that Bratislava is undermining relations with London. He argued the tension began when the UK decided to bankroll targeted voter campaigns abroad. And, in a pointed reminder, he could not resist noting: “Isn’t Britain the only EU country that has actually left the Union?”
A final word: Wrapping up, he stressed that Slovakia is a “democratic country and a member of the world’s strongest organisations — the EU, NATO and the OECD”. Every voter, he said, has enough access to information to make an informed decision, and “parliamentary turnout is certainly not a problem another state should fix for us.”
A footnote to all this: Pellegrini’s own path to the presidency has hardly been a model of transparency. Transparency International Slovakia labelled his campaign the least transparent of the 2024 race, pointing to breaches of campaign finance rules.
Influencers in the grey zone: Several social media influencers openly supported Pellegrini during the legally mandated campaign moratorium, when no third-party campaigning is allowed. Yet, thanks to Slovakia’s outdated election laws, which do not fully cover the online space, no formal rules were broken. How much these influencers earned is unclear — reports suggest they received around €30,000 each.
Cross-border loopholes: Pellegrini also appeared on a Hungarian TV channel during the moratorium — another legally grey area. No violation was recorded, since the broadcast was not transmitted in Slovakia, neatly exposing a loophole in current legislation.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR
Sweet taste of history: Once born in a socialist-era mill and flavoured with humble fennel and anise, Slovakia’s iconic Marína and Indián biscuits have survived war, nationalisation, and privatisation — and still sit on shop shelves today, wrapped in nostalgia.
Farming the system? Slovakia’s opposition claims €2.8 million in EU agricultural subsidies went to Smer‑linked businessmen whose orchards never bore fruit, reigniting concerns over political patronage and misuse of farm funds.
Crying foul, but mostly in vain: Three‑quarters of Slovaks’ complaints against banks and insurers were thrown out last year, with the central bank blaming poor understanding of contracts and rising scams — even as valid claims returned just €307,000 to consumers.
Pensions on borrowed time: Slovakia’s ageing population and above‑average payouts are driving pension costs to 8.9 percent of GDP, with analysts warning that today’s “generous” benefits risk undermining future growth and public finances.
Influencer row shakes UK–Slovakia ties: Bratislava has demanded a formal explanation from London over claims that British-funded social media influencers targeted Slovak voters ahead of the 2023 election.
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FOOTBALL
Atlético’s forgotten Slovak connection
Yanko Daučík (source: REAL BETIS)
Dávid Hancko may be the first Slovak to officially sign for Atlético Madrid, but history quietly points to Yanko Daučík — a 1960s forward with Slovak roots who briefly wore the club’s colours without making a league appearance. Overshadowed by his legendary father, coach Ferdinand Daučík, Yanko’s career spanned Real Madrid, North America, and Chile, leaving a curious footnote in European football history.
NATURE
Poacher out, logger in
Former TANAP director Peter Olexa (source: TASR)
Peter Olexa has resigned as head of Slovakia’s Tatra National Park (TANAP), Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba confirmed, citing “personal reasons”. His successor, Michal Babnič, previously ran the Low Tatras National Park (NAPANT) and drew criticism for approving logging in rare habitats, including capercaillie breeding grounds.
Controversial tenure: Olexa, a convicted poacher with no conservation background, faced repeated allegations of absenteeism, hunting during work hours and bungling the park’s zoning plan — a key condition for unlocking over €500 million in EU recovery funds. He also oversaw a €63,000 office revamp and bought a sauna for a park chalet.
Eyes on Brussels: Environmentalists say his exit is overdue but warn Babnič’s track record offers little hope for stricter nature protection. The new director now faces the urgent task of completing TANAP’s zoning plan before the EU loses patience.
IN OTHER NEWS
Slovak National Party chair Andrej Danko has called on the coalition to honour its campaign pledge by revisiting the 2022 defence pact with the US, arguing that the long‑term presence of foreign troops erodes national sovereignty and that only Slovak forces should operate on Slovak territory. (TASR)
Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová has hired a consultancy for €142,000 to advise on drawing EU funds for the restoration of cultural monuments, sparking criticism from opposition MP Veronika Remišová. She accused the minister of leaving €200 million in EU funding “sitting in a drawer” for nearly two years while historic sites deteriorate, focusing instead on anthems, beauty salons and trips abroad, including to Dubai. Remišová said the firm will handle tasks that should be routine work for ministry staff. (Denník N)
Opposition politician Igor Matovič has accused Smer of funnelling €4.5 million in public party funding to companies linked to its own lawmakers, citing last year’s financial reports. He claims the firms are connected to Prime Minister Robert Fico’s son, Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák and MP Ján Mažgút, framing the payments as a misuse of state contributions. Matovič admitted his own Slovensko party report lists transactions with associates of its MPs, including a garage bought from ex‑tennis player and ex-OĽaNO MP Karol Kučera. (TASR)
Smer MEP Judita Laššáková is paying Zuzana Tománková Miková — a close friend of convicted businessman Marián Kočner and co‑founder of the scandal‑hit Čistý deň resocialisation centre — from her EU parliamentary assistant budget. Transparency campaigners say the arrangement raises serious ethical concerns, especially as Laššáková has previously worked with other controversial figures, including the detained extremist Daniel Bombic. (SME)
Slovakia’s National Union of Employers (RÚZ) has slammed the EU’s proposed Corporate Resource for Europe (CORE), a flat‑rate levy on companies with turnover above €100 million, calling it an illegitimate “sales tax” that punishes size rather than profit. RÚZ president Miroslav Kiralvarga warned the plan would undermine competitiveness, deepen the gap with global rivals and push the EU towards “federalisation without a mandate”, urging Slovakia’s government to oppose it at the Council. (SITA)
Slovakia’s bishops have chosen two priests and two lay theologians to represent the country at the final stage of the Synod on Synodality in October. Roman Catholic priest Pavol Hrabovecký and Greek Catholic priest Marcel Mojzeš will join Mária Spišiaková and Jozef Žuffa from Trnava University’s Jesuit Faculty of Theology. Žuffa, a former parliamentary candidate for the Progressive Slovakia–Spolu coalition, has previously supported LGBT+ initiatives, drawing attention from conservative media. (Postoj)
Slovakia’s Culture Ministry has upheld the decision to grant national heritage status to Bratislava’s Hotel Kyjev and the adjoining OD Prior, citing their exceptional architectural and historical value. The ruling, which became final on 8 July, could complicate developer Lordship’s long‑planned renovation but allows for sensitive reconstruction that preserves key features. (source: SME - Marko Erd)
FRIDAY WEATHER BRIEFING: Partly cloudy with a few stray showers — and in western Slovakia, clouds will bulk up with some rain and the odd rumble of thunder. Daytime highs will reach 20°C–29°C. (SHMÚ)
Coming up in Bratislava: courtyard DJ vibes, a Wes Anderson film under the stars and open‑air salsa by the Družba fountain — all free, all perfect for summer evenings.
ON THE NAME DAY RADAR: Božidara steals the Friday spotlight — všetko najlepšie!
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