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PM Fico outplays the opposition with help from spy agency
Prime Minister Robert Fico (top, centre) and Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Šimečka (bottom, centre) during the parliamentary session on the motion of no confidence in the government, proposed by a group of opposition MPs. (source: SME - Jozef Jakubčo)
Prime Minister and Smer chair Robert Fico arrived at the parliamentary debating chamber on Tuesday, January 21, fulfilling his promise to attend the extraordinary session called by the opposition to discuss a no-confidence vote in his government. The session, which Fico had predicted would be marked by chaos (Fico used the Russian word “bordeľ” to mean chaos, but a Russian-born political scientist suggested he improve his language skills), instead became a theatre of surprises.
Firstly, with the slimmest of majorities – 76 MPs in the 150-seat parliament – the ruling coalition managed to restrict debate to 12 hours, extending discussions into the evening.
Opposition leader Michal Šimečka, chair of Progressive Slovakia, used his hour-long speech to deliver a scathing critique of Fico’s government. Šimečka accused the prime minister of telling lies, neglecting Slovakia’s pressing issues, and steering the country away from democracy towards oligarchy.
“It’s time to retire. Your pension will be well-paid,” he said, referencing the government’s controversial salary hikes in 2024.
Šimečka also took aim at Fico’s recent inflammatory remarks, including his accusation that the opposition was plotting a “Maidan” (a reference to Ukraine’s 2014 revolution). “Maidan means 100 civilians shot by state security forces. I hope this was just rhetoric for a mobilisation video, but please, Mr Prime Minister, you are not a 12-year-old YouTuber,” Šimečka said. Fico frequently posts video monologues on his social media.
It was Fico himself who provided the day’s most unexpected moments. Following a speech in which he lauded his government’s alleged achievements – conveniently omitting the controversial tax hikes – Fico accused “anti-government” daily newspapers Sme and Denník N of scripting Šimečka’s speech. Without evidence, he claimed the opposition aimed to discredit him with the intent to imprison or even assassinate him.
“First, you discredit me, then jail me, then shoot me. And when that fails, you suddenly ask me to leave politics,” Fico, who was shot in an alleged assassination attempt by a pensioner last May and faced criminal charges in 2022, said.
The premier also rejected the idea of a new Iron Curtain between Europe and Russia, unveiled plans to enshrine the definition of two sexes in the constitution, and defended his “north-south-west-east” foreign policy. But the greatest twist came when Fico asked acting speaker Peter Žiga (Hlas) to close the session to the public, citing the need to present a confidential report. The report wasn’t even on the session’s approved agenda.
Still, Žiga dutifully complied – a truly historic moment, in every sense.
“I invite you to listen to the report. Pay close attention to this confidential document,” Fico said to Šimečka.
Yet, the drama was anything but over. Though the session concluded far earlier than anticipated, the opposition remains steadfast, preparing for another round – this time, back in the public eye. Meanwhile, everyone has been talking about Fico’s “confidential report”.
PM Robert Fico with some of his ministers (bottom row), acting Speaker of Parliament Peter Žiga and his deputy Andrej Danko (middle row), as well as some of the chairs of parliamentary committees (top row). (source: TASR)
Fico’s ‘conspiracy’: The opposition argued that only the portion of the session concerning the report should have been discussed behind closed doors. When their argument was dismissed, opposition MPs walked out of the chamber in the late afternoon. Many of them described the report, authored by Slovakia’s main intelligence agency (the Slovak Information Service – SIS), which claimed to have “obtained serious information about long-term organised influence operations aimed at destabilising Slovakia,” with terms such as: “the usual drivel,” “a clear conspiracy theory,” “information anyone can find on Google,” and “nonsense.” According to the opposition, the report contained nothing confidential. Šimečka went further, calling it a farce, “on the level of paving stones” – a reference to statements made by Prime Minister Fico in 2018. At the time, Fico convened a meeting of the National Security Council during protests following the murder of journalist Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová, after a few paving stones were discovered in bushes near the Government Office. These stones were later claimed by a Bratislava resident, who explained she had left them there temporarily during construction work and intended to use them in her garden. In 2018, following the protests, Fico was forced to resign.
Why the opposition might be right: The head of the SIS, Pavol Gašpar, is the vindictive son of former police chief Tibor Gašpar, who served under previous Smer governments. Tibor Gašpar, now a Smer MP and one of the deputy speakers of parliament, faces serious charges of misusing the police for political purposes. He is also the same man who recently returned from Moscow and has floated the idea of Slovakia leaving the EU at some point. Pavol Gašpar’s name surfaced in the infamous hunting lodge videos, where Robert Fico and others were filmed discussing how they would exact revenge on their opponents once Smer regained power. Pavol Gašpar was selected for his current role by Fico. On Tuesday night, Pavol Gašpar wrote on social media, “Please do not underestimate the skills, expertise, and professionalism of SIS officers.” The SIS itself was misused in the past, for example, by former PM Vladimír Mečiar. Since then, there has been an ongoing debate about whether it should be reformed or dismantled and rebuilt from scratch.
Sme’s findings: Former prime minister and opposition MP Igor Matovič (Slovensko) claimed on social media, “Just like the last remnants of the ŠtB [the former communist secret police] spied on believers, the SIS, now in the hands of Gašpar’s son, is surveilling people across Slovakia who are engaged in any form of civic activism today. They are using covert surveillance, wiretapping, infiltration of private emails, and phone monitoring.” He did not provide any evidence. In a televised interview, MP Gašpar revealed that the report presented by Fico includes specific names. He also stated that the report was partly based on wiretaps. According to information provided to the daily Sme, the details in the report originate from a single email within the civic sector. This email outlined plans for public protests against the current government. “The organisers are considering non-violent blockades of roads and government buildings, while repeatedly emphasising peaceful forms of civic protest,” Sme reported. The next protests across Slovakia are scheduled as early as this Friday, January 24. The email, created using ChatGPT, has been linked to the organisation “Not in Our Town” (Nie v našom meste). Meanwhile, Fico has also targeted the organisation “Peace for Ukraine” (Mier Ukrajine), which has also been organising anti-government demonstrations. Some individuals associated with these non-governmental organisations have ties to the opposition. Fico himself frequently organised protests during his time in opposition, including during the coronavirus pandemic.
KDH MP František Mikloško talks to the press on January 21, 2025. (source: TASR - Pavel Neubauer)
Quote: “We’re not the ones preparing a Maidan, but I have serious concerns that this government is. It wouldn’t be difficult for someone to stage a provocation at an otherwise peaceful demonstration, providing an excuse to claim they’re protecting the state, its people, and security, while beginning to detain individuals based on some list,” the 77-year-old opposition MP František Mikloško (KDH) told the media. In 1988, when Czechoslovakia was still under communist rule, Mikloško, a devout believer, was imprisoned for organising a demonstration.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR
Prior run-ins with the law: The student who fatally stabbed a teacher and a fellow student in northeastern Slovakia last week had a troubled history with the law.
Off to Poland’s seaside: In just a few months, Slovaks will have a direct route from Bratislava to the Polish coast.
In Slovakia’s wilderness: Some people relish a dip in icy waters, even in the depths of winter. You will find these cold-water enthusiasts in places like Slovenský raj (Slovak Paradise).
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FEATURE
Slovakia’s forgotten inventor
The Dobro® guitar remains popular to this day in styles like bluegrass and blues. (source: SME - Marko Erd)
Ján Dopjera, born in a small Slovak village in 1893, left for the United States and reinvented himself as John Dopyera, the mastermind behind the Dobro guitar. His 1920s invention transformed acoustic music, introducing a resonator design that amplified sound and shaped bluegrass, blues, and rock. While the Dobro became a global icon, Dopyera’s Slovak heritage remained a well-kept secret until years after his death in 1988.
LOSER OF THE DAY
MEP Uhrík and his manners
In Strasbourg, far-right Slovak MEP Milan Uhrík (Republika/ESN) caused embarrassment for Slovakia during a debate on the Digital Services Act and the need to safeguard democracy on social media. Addressing a colleague in English, he said, “shut up, please.”
The incident was highlighted on social media by Slovak MEP Ľudovít Ódor (PS/Renew), a former Slovak prime minister. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola promptly cut Uhrík’s microphone following his outburst.
Uhrík later defended his remarks on Telegram, claiming he was provoked by colleagues who allegedly shouted accusations of racism and xenophobia at him. His comments also included criticism of a Muslim fact-checker in Germany. Uhrík further criticised Metsola for failing to intervene against those he claimed were attacking him.
IN OTHER NEWS
Schools in Slovakia posted nearly 10,000 job openings last year, an increase of 1,200 compared to the previous year. Of these, 4,037 were for primary and secondary school teachers, marking the highest demand in the 12-year history of the Edujobs.sk website, according to its latest analysis.
A district court in Trenčín has approved a request by Juraj Cintula, the accused assailant in last year’s shooting of Prime Minister Robert Fico, to be transferred from a psychiatric facility to custody. Cintula is under investigation for the May attack during a government session in Handlová, where he wounded Fico. Prosecutors have classified the act as terrorism, a characterisation challenged by the Supreme Court last year. If convicted, Cintula faces 25 years to life in prison. (MY Trenčín)
The European Central Bank (ECB) is almost certain to lower interest rates next week, with an additional two to three cuts likely to follow, according to Peter Kažimír, Governor of the National Bank of Slovakia and member of the ECB’s Governing Council.
Independent MP Rudolf Huliak has rejected an offer to become deputy speaker of parliament, according to Slovak National Party (SNS) leader Andrej Danko, who had proposed the post. Instead, Huliak reiterated his demand for the post of environment minister. The SNS will no longer negotiate over Huliak’s conditions, Danko added, claiming that Huliak is now liaising directly with PM Fico. Last autumn, Huliak, along with MPs Ivan Ševčík and Pavol Ľupták, left the SNS parliamentary caucus but pledged to uphold the coalition agreement and support the government. Huliak and his allies justified their departure by accusing SNS of sidelining them after they requested a name change for the SNS parliamentary caucus and greater visibility for their faction. The standoff highlights ongoing tensions within the coalition.
Slovan Bratislava suffered a 1-3 home defeat against VfB Stuttgart on January 21, marking their seventh consecutive Champions League match without a point. The Slovak champions will conclude their group stage campaign on January 29 with a daunting away fixture against Bayern Munich. (source: TASR - Jaroslav Novák)
PM Fico met with Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orbán in Bratislava on Tuesday. The leaders focused on strengthening bilateral economic cooperation, addressing key foreign policy issues, and discussing the implications of halting Russian gas transit through Ukraine.
The Supreme Court has sentenced Marián Magát to four years in prison for disseminating extremist materials, placing him in a minimum-security facility. The court also imposed asset forfeiture as part of the sentence. The Supreme Court overturned a previous ruling by a lower court, which had sentenced Magát to six years for extremism. The latest verdict is final. (SITA)
President Peter Pellegrini is set to visit the headquarters of the Slovak Information Service (SIS) on Wednesday, January 22. The president aims to review all relevant information connected to the report that was the focus of Tuesday’s parliamentary session.
WEDNESDAY WEATHER BRIEFING: Cloudy to overcast skies will dominate the day, with a touch of fog here and there. Over in the east, expect a sprinkle of snow or a dash of drizzle. Temperatures will hover between a frosty -2°C and a balmy (well, relatively) 3°C.
A man dressed in traditional shepherd’s attire plays the trombita – a long wooden horn – atop Mount Kľak (1,351.6 metres above sea level) on Sunday, January 19, 2025. The performance took place in the Lučanská Malá Fatra mountain range, marking the border between Žilina and Martin districts. (source: TASR - Daniel Stehlik)
PARTY TIME: January 22 is Zora’s special day, so if you happen to know one, don’t forget to send her your warmest wishes. Všetko najlepšie!
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