Good evening. Here is the Friday, May 23 edition of Today in Slovakia – the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Bribery trial nears verdict as central bank governor's fate hangs in the balance
National Bank of Slovakia Governor Peter Kažimír, pictured on June 21, 2022. (source: TASR - Pavel Neubauer)
A verdict in the corruption case against Peter Kažimír, the current governor of the Slovak central bank, the National Bank of Slovakia, is expected next week. Judge Milan Cisarik of the Specialised Criminal Court plans to deliver the ruling on May 29.
The state prosecutor has proposed a prison sentence for Kažimír. He stands accused of bribery.
The governor, whose current term ends in just nine days, was not present at the hearing, according to the Hospodárske Noviny financial daily. His lawyer, Ondrej Mularčík, excused his absence and requested that the proceedings continue in his absence, citing an official trip to Japan.
The proposed sentence is in the middle of the statutory range, which spans from one to five years. Additionally, the prosecutor is recommending a ban on Kažimír holding public office for at least five years, as well as the seizure of financial assets amounting to €48,000. His recommendation was made in a submission during closing arguments at the Specialised Criminal Court in Pezinok.
According to the indictment, Kažimír, during his tenure as finance minister, repeatedly pressured the then-head of the Financial Administration, František Imrecze, to prioritise the payment of VAT refunds to several companies, totalling over €3 million. Kažimír is alleged to have handed over a bribe of €48,000 to Imrecze.
Defence requests full acquittal
Kažimír's defence lawyers called for his full acquittal. They asserted that the charges are based solely on the testimony of a single key witness, František Imrecze. According to the defence, no other evidence supports the accusation, and the testimonies of two additional witnesses contradict Imrecze’s account.
They also asserted that the alleged act is time-barred. In is his closing argument to the court in Pezinok, defence lawyer Peter Mularčík declared: “The accusation is a lie, it’s merely a fabrication by František Imrecze. No witness confirms his claims.”
Prime Minister Robert Fico, who nominated Kažimír as finance minister, reportedly considers him a “traitor”, according to multiple senior coalition sources speaking off the record. This political rift, rooted in Kažimír’s perceived role in the 2020 split of Smer (which led to the formation of Hlas), has led Fico to firmly reject any support for his former minister's reappointment as governor of the NBS, despite Kažimír’s current term being due to end on June 1.
Although Kažimír could legally serve a second term if nominated by the government and approved by parliament, this is now unlikely without Smer’s 42 MPs. Fico’s stance marks a shift from 2021, when he dismissed the corruption charges against Kažimír as “utter nonsense”.
Hlas continues to support Kažimír, with Education Minister Tomáš Drucker calling him a “respected expert”. However, no coalition agreement has yet been reached on a successor. If the parties cannot agree, Kažimír could remain in office even if convicted in the first-instance court ruling expected soon, as such a verdict would not be final.
Beyond the bribery trial, Kažimír faces scrutiny over unexplained wealth linked to his partner, including a villa on the French Riviera that was allegedly funded by a controversial Slovak businessman. Kažimír denies wrongdoing and is pursuing legal action against media outlets that have reported on the case.
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Automobile industry: After VW decided against building one its main mass-market electric vehicles in Slovakia, the country has now lost out on another major EV production project: Stellantis has reportedly picked a plant in Spain over its factory in Trnava.
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GOOD NEWS
Slovak female athlete conquers the Himalayan Xtri triathlon
Nikola Čorbová at a triathlon in Slovenia in November 2024. (source: FB Nikola Čorbová )
A Slovak triathlete has delivered a mind-blowing performance at a prestigious event in the Himalayas. Nikola Čorbová became the first woman to win the gruelling Himalayan Xtri, beating all competitors – men and women – in one of the world’s toughest events. Swimming, cycling and running for over 200 kilometres through Nepal’s challenging terrain, she set a new course record time of 17 hours and 8 minutes. Her emotional finish near the peaks of Machapuchare and Annapurna was a triumph of endurance and inspiration. How did she do it? Read on to find out — and discover other inspiring stories from Slovakia this week.
EVENT FOR THE WEEKEND
Urban market blooms in OD Bratislava
Urban Market, Bratislava, May 2024. (source: Facebook - Urban Market/Dominik Mičuda)
Spring vibes meet creative energy at this year’s Urban Market, making its debut inside the iconic OD Bratislava (previously known as Prior and My Bratislava) on Kamenné Square. Discover over 110 handpicked local brands spanning fashion, design, books and art – all brought together in one iconic space. With guided tours of the historic building, fun for all ages, and an afterparty to keep the buzz going, this is more than a market – it’s a celebration. Curious what’s inside? Come see for yourself.
IN OTHER NEWS
The police have released footage of a raid against suspected neo-Nazis in Bratislava who had been randomly attacking people without provocation. During the operation, 20 individuals were detained, with 14 formally charged — including three who are being held in custody. The suspects face multiple extremist-related criminal charges, including violent assaults.
Progressive Slovakia (PS) says the Interior Ministry’s proposed reforms to immigration procedures fail to solve the ongoing black market for police appointments. Opposition MP Zuzana Števulová welcomed some of the changes, like easing paperwork and extending visa validity, but warned that new quotas and embassy-only processing could block entrepreneurs. She criticised the lack of clear measures to stop appointment trading and urged Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok to explain how the reform will ensure fair access.
Slovakia will host the 2029 Ice Hockey World Championship for the third time, the IIHF announced in Stockholm. Bratislava and Košice will be the venues, as the UK and Hungary withdrew their bids. Slovak Ice Hockey Federation president Miroslav Šatan welcomed the decision, with 99 percent of IIHF members supporting Slovakia’s readiness. Šatan is counting on substantial support from the Slovak government.
Health Minister Kamil Šaško (Hlas) said a decree that would restrict access to newly approved medicines won’t take effect until there is “expert consensus”. The measure, originally set to enter into force in June, would limit which new drugs qualify for reimbursement under the public health insurance scheme.
A beauty salon was given the floor at the Culture Ministry this week, where Gold Studio pitched its products in an official meeting room. The company posted photos of its representatives posing with Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová, calling the open day at the ministry “truly unforgettable” — before quietly deleting the post. (source: Denník N)
Accused oligarch Norbert Bödör was photographed at the Government Office again this week. The appearance comes amid fresh media reports that his associates received substantial state subsidies for fake guesthouses under past Smer governments. Prime Minister Robert Fico has previously downplayed Bödör’s visits to the Government Office, claiming they discussed security for party events. (Denník N)
Branislav Balogh has been appointed acting director of the Slovak Literary Centre, replacing Gustáv Murín, who was dismissed by the culture minister.
Slovak climber Peter Hámor has completed a new first ascent on the west face of Kabru, a 7,412-metre peak in the Himalayas, during his latest expedition. Alongside Nives Meroi and Roman Benet, he tackled the route without fixed ropes, supplemental oxygen, or high-altitude camps, naming it "Himalayan Trad." Hámor described the climb as tougher than any of his previous 8,000-metre ascents, battling severe weather and dangerous, avalanche-prone snow. (TASR)
WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND: It will be mostly cloudy, with occasional rain, particularly in the east. Expect it to be chilly for the time of year, with daytime highs between 11°C and 16°C. However, on Sunday temperatures will rise slightly, reaching up to 19°C. The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ) has issued a Level 1 rain warning for Košice and Prešov Regions in the east. Additionally, a possible early morning frost is expected in parts of eastern and north-western Slovakia, which could affect vegetation. On Sunday, a frost warning during the growing season will remain in place for central Slovakia. (SHMÚ)
WEEKEND PARTY TIME: This weekend Ela, Urban, Vivien and — last but not least — Dušan are celebrating their name days. Don’t forget to send your best wishes: to Ela on Saturday (May 24), Urban and Vivien on Sunday (May 25), and Dušan on Monday (May 26).
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