Greetings from Bratislava! You are reading the latest edition of Today in Slovakia – it is Thursday, 17 July. Thanks for being with us.
We have recently covered how Prime Minister Robert Fico has become a recurring headache for Brussels – and while tonight’s shift may feel like a win in Brussels, it did not come for free. Catch up on our earlier reporting.
Fico blinks – for now
PM Robert Fico and European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas (source: TASR/AP )
After weeks of obstruction, PM Robert Fico announced Thursday that his government will green-light the EU’s 18th package of sanctions against Russia. In a video message, Fico said Bratislava had secured “guarantees” from Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that protect Slovakia’s energy interests – notably regarding gas prices and supply security.
“All options are now exhausted,” Fico said. “Remaining in a blocking position would threaten our national interests.”
THE DEAL: According to Fico, the guarantees cover price stability, transmission fees, and the right to trigger an emergency mechanism if gas becomes too scarce or expensive – including the potential suspension of the EU’s proposed Russian gas import ban. The compromise appears to stem from a letter sent by von der Leyen and from weeks of technical negotiations.
WHY IT MATTERS: Slovakia had held up the new sanctions package over a broader Commission push to end Russian gas imports by 2028 – a proposal Fico derided as “imbecilic”. But with assurances now on the table, Fico is backing down – at least for this round.
NOT SO FAST: Fico made clear he is not done fighting Brussels. “We are entering the second stage of our battle,” he said, calling the Commission’s Russian gas exit strategy absurd and vowing a new phase of resistance. Timing-wise, the announcement came on 17 July – the anniversary of Slovakia’s declaration of sovereignty. A symbolic gesture? Perhaps. But ask the average Slovak what happened on 17 July and you will likely get a shrug.
WHAT’S NEXT: EU affairs ministers gather in Brussels on Friday, where the new sanctions – targeting Russia’s energy and banking sectors, and lowering the price cap on Russian oil – are expected to be formally adopted. But while this particular impasse is over, the energy battle between Bratislava and Brussels is far from finished.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR
Blame the Czechs: The Ukraine police op went smoothly – but Slovakia’s interior minister, back from holiday, is blaming Czech partners for the fallout over who said what.
Slovakia’s choice: Ukraine’s ambassador calls on Slovakia to stay the course – backing sanctions, justice efforts, and the return of deported children.
Kuciak case twist: The Supreme Court explains why it threw out the previous verdict in the high-profile murder trial of journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová.
Deadly whirlpool: A pensioner died at a Slovak hotel – and tests later revealed a dangerous bacterial infection in the spa’s whirlpool.
Selling smarter: Only 18 percent of Slovak companies sell online – far below EU leaders – raising fears of long-term competitiveness loss.
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SLOVAK MATTERS
Misty trails
The High Tatras, Slovakia (source: Pexels - Tomáš Malík)
Slovakia offers one of Europe’s most underrated luxuries: air so good, locals compete to tell you where it is best. But as one hiker learns, fresh air comes with a side of folklore, mud, and the mysterious risk of “getting the wolf”.
BRATISLAVA
Dunajská & Mlynské nivy – What’s changed
A single, coordinated project has brought safer, more liveable streets to the Dunajská and Mlynské nivy area – solving long-standing issues with traffic, missing crossings, poor cycling links and neglected public space.
New & safer crossings
Added long-missing crosswalk at Karadžičova × Mlynské nivy
Elevated crossings at school, puppet theatre, and Ferienčíkova for safer walking
Traffic calmed
Dunajská made one-way to reduce through-traffic
New left-turn lane at 29. augusta × Cintorínska to prevent traffic jams
Safe cycle links completed
New separated bi-directional cycle lanes
Finally connects Ružinov, city centre, and Petržalka by bike
Expert partnership: Project delivered with support from Bloomberg Associates, drawing on global urban planning best practices, including advice from ex–NYC transport commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan.
IN OTHER NEWS
Slovenská pošta, Slovakia’s national postal service, plans to simplify parcel returns by introducing new app features such as online fee payments, appointment booking for complex services, and electronic ID verification. The app already offers parcel tracking, delivery rescheduling, redirection, online postage, and tools for finding nearby branches or parcel boxes.
Demand for IT workers in Slovakia is steadily declining as new technologies reshape the labour market. Job postings for IT specialists on Profesia.sk fell by 57 percent compared to the first half of 2022, with firms automating processes and relocating roles to more cost-effective countries – making Slovakia no longer the first choice for many employers. (TASR)
Slovakia’s Education Ministry has tested an electronic school application system, set to be fully available by 2026 for all nursery, primary, and secondary schools. A pilot run in Bratislava–Nové Mesto saw 600 applications submitted, saving parents an estimated 1,542 hours and reducing errors and administrative burden for headteachers.
The European Commission is taking Slovakia to the EU Court of Justice for incorrectly transposing the directive on access to a lawyer and communication rights after detention. Despite earlier warnings and legal changes, Brussels maintains concerns about unclear rights for suspects who have not been formally charged, including whether they may consult a lawyer before questioning.
In June, Slovakia and Hungary recorded the third-highest inflation rate in the EU at 4.6 percent, according to Eurostat data – with only Estonia and Romania seeing higher price increases.
The education situation in Lomnička, Stará Ľubovňa district, is critical – without a new school, a three-shift system may be needed from the 2026/2027 school year, warns mayor Mária Oračková. The municipality is still awaiting funding from Slovakia’s Recovery and Resilience Plan, but the Education Ministry notes it applied for support 28 months after the call was announced. (source: TASR - Adriána Hudecová)
FRIDAY WEATHER BRIEFING: Cloudy to overcast, with occasional showers or rain, and isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. Some areas may see clearer skies later. Daytime temperatures between 18°C and 26°C. (SHMÚ)
FREE EVENTS IN BRATISLAVA: Don’t miss our top three picks for free events in Bratislava, including a Pride festival.
ON THE NAME DAY RADAR: It is Kamila’s turn in the spotlight on Friday. Got one in your contacts? Time for a cheerful všetko najlepšie!
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