Good evening. Here is the Monday, June 23 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in a few minutes.
Calls for diplomacy following US strikes in Iran
The Presidential Palace in Bratislava. (source: SME - Marko Erd)
Slovak politicians have responded with calls for peace and diplomacy following massive US military strikes on three key nuclear facilities in Iran: Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.
President Peter Pellegrini expressed concern over growing global tensions and urged all parties involved in conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine and other crisis regions to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible.
“Many states, including democratic countries and global powers, are increasingly abandoning diplomatic solutions in favour of force, which only leads to the loss of human lives,” Pellegrini said on social media. He added that peaceful coexistence is the only path to long-term survival for humanity.
Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár (Smer) said that conflicts should be resolved through the United Nations, not through military action.
“It is unacceptable for any country to carry out military operations on the territory of another sovereign state. We have consistently called for peace and stability in the Middle East, which can only be achieved through de-escalation and a return to diplomacy and dialogue,” he said, as quoted by the TASR news agency.
Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok, speaking on behalf of the Hlas party, also appealed for diplomatic solutions in all areas of ongoing conflict.
“We must never give up on diplomacy when dealing with disputes between states. If force and weapons become the norm, the consequences for the world could be catastrophic,” he said on social media. Later, on a political programme on TV JOJ 24, he warned that the strikes would significantly increase global tensions, calling the situation “extremely serious and dangerous”.
Speaker of Parliament Richard Raši (Hlas) echoed calls for dialogue, stressing that peace must remain the priority and that diplomacy must not be replaced by weapons.
Speaking on RTVS’s political programme O 5 minút 12, SNS leader Andrej Danko described the US strikes as “a military adventure”. He suggested that European countries should reconsider whether NATO membership is a benefit or a security risk.
“Unless Europe distances itself from the United States, it will continue to bear the risks,” Danko said. While he ruled out holding a referendum on leaving NATO at this time, he added that the issue could be raised if conflicts worsen and European security is at risk.
Ivan Korčok of Progressive Slovakia said the strikes were a critical move to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, but warned of the high risk of escalation and urged all parties to return to negotiations.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
LAST WEEK: When the police came for the former defence minister last week, they failed to find him at his home. The reason why the police actions are worrying is that there is a strong political element to the proceedings, one that reeks of revenge.
BUSINESS: Slovakia's main trade union federation has proposed its own plan for repairing public finances, warning the government against repeating austerity policies that disproportionately affect workers and low-income groups.
DEFENCE: Europe rearms - but can Slovakia be trusted? While Slovak firms could thrive in a growing defence market, the government's mixed signals raise doubts among allies.
SOCIAL MEDIA: Zuckerberg's U-turn unleashes torrent of unmediated political content. But what does it mean for Europe?
TRAVEL: Southern Slovakia is fast becoming a destination for adventure tourism, with the village of Boľkovce in the Lučenec district joining the map of riverside stops for canoeists. It doesn't stop just there.
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FEATURE STORY
The trusted kitchen appliance still used by many
A modern Remoska. (source: WIKIMEDIA / CC)
Before the Velvet Revolution, a metal bowl with a hefty lid and an electric cable—ideal for baking—was a staple in many Czechoslovak households. Known as the Remoska, this Czechoslovak product remains a trusted appliance in Slovak kitchens to this day.
Do you know its story? The British royal family sure knows about it.
EVENT FOR THIS WEEK
Guitar festival with musicians from abroad
Illustrative image. (source: TASR)
The 49th edition of the J. K. Mertz Guitar Festival began on Sunday in Bratislava and will run until Thursday, June 26. Each day features performances by musicians from Spain, Venezuela, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Czechia, and Slovakia — with Slovak artists also presenting premieres of new works. In keeping with this year’s theme of unusual duets, the programme includes concerts combining guitar with string quartet, soprano voice, and flute. More details are available on the festival’s website.
IN OTHER NEWS
Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer) announced on social media that Slovakia will not support any increase in spending on weapons systems beyond the 2025 level in the 2026 state budget. He stated that any additional funding would be directed solely to dual-purpose projects, such as hospitals and road infrastructure. According to Fico, Slovakia must retain the sovereign right to determine the pace at which it increases defence spending in line with NATO’s 2035 plan, noting that the country has “other priorities in the coming years”. He added that Slovakia, as a NATO member, must consider whether to continue fulfilling its obligations or explore “a different solution in the future”. (Facebook)
Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár (Smer) stated that Slovakia will support the EU’s 18th sanctions package against Russia, provided that it receives guarantees and assistance to mitigate the negative impact of ending imports of Russian gas, oil, and nuclear fuel. Speaking at the EU Foreign Affairs Council, Blanár noted that, in its current form, the sanctions package should not adversely affect the Slovak economy. (TASR)
A total of 467 suicides were recorded in Slovakia last year, 34 fewer than in 2023, according to data from the National Health Information Centre (NCZI). This marks the second-lowest figure since 2001, when 466 cases were reported. Men accounted for 84.6 percent of suicides in 2024, while seniors over 70 were the most affected group. Meanwhile, the number of suicide attempts rose by 130 year-on-year to 808 cases — 376 involving men and 432 women. When adjusted for population, the highest rate of suicide attempts occurred among young people aged 15–19. (NCZI)
A Saint John's Fire in the village of Bešeňová, northern Slovakia, on June 22. A beloved tradition in Slovakia marking the summer solstice, large bonfires such as this one are lit on hilltops to ward off evil spirits. (source: TASR)
The Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV) announced that its analysis of Covid-19 mRNA vaccines is expected to be completed by the end of July. “We are currently finalising the selection and validation of methodologies and procedures for the vaccine analyses,” said SAV spokesperson Monika Tináková. The research was requested by Health Minister Kamil Šaško (Hlas) on the basis of a government mandate. (TASR)
Following a meeting of the KDH council, party leader Milan Majerský announced that a resolution had been adopted in support of proposed constitutional changes. The council urged party MPs to back the amendment in its third reading, scheduled for September, describing it as aligned with party values and in the interest of both Slovakia and the European Union. The vote had been postponed after coalition parties and opposition groups KDH and KÚ failed to secure the required 90 votes. KDH MPs František Mikloško and František Majerský, along with Hlas MP Ján Ferenčák, abstained. The proposal has faced criticism from former constitutional lawyers and legal experts, and the European Commission has also expressed concerns. (TASR)
Slovakia ranked 63rd out of 69 countries in this year’s global competitiveness index, dropping four places from last year’s position, according to the Swiss Institute for Management Development (IMD), as reported by the Institute of Freedom and Entrepreneurship (ISP). ISP chair Ján Oravec attributed the decline to structural weaknesses, slow economic growth, high energy costs, labour shortages in key sectors, and inefficient fiscal consolidation. Business leaders also cited political instability, exchange rate fluctuations, and reduced investment as key issues. To reverse these trends, the ISP recommends investing in research, innovation and technology, improving energy efficiency, and reforming the tax system to better support entrepreneurship and productivity. (TASR)
Canadian ice hockey defenceman Ryan Sproul has signed with HK Poprad, a team competing in Slovakia’s top-tier league. Sproul previously played in the NHL for the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers, and has also competed in North American minor leagues, as well as in China and Germany. (HK Poprad)
Slovak tennis player Rebecca Šrámková has reached a career-high ranking of 36th on the WTA Tour following her advancement to the semi-finals of the Lexus Nottingham Open. Viktória Hrunčáková is ranked 223rd, while Anna Karolína Schmiedlová holds the 266th position. (Sportnet)
WEATHER FOR TUESDAY: Showers, rain, and thunderstorms are expected across much of the country overnight, with level 1 and level 2 storm warnings in place nationwide. During the day, the weather will be partly cloudy with occasional showers. Daytime temperatures will range between 26°C and 32°C, reaching up to 26°C in northern regions. (SHMÚ)
JUNE 24 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Ján
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