Good to have you on board! Here’s your latest Today in Slovakia – Thursday’s top news, all in one place.
People in Slovakia march against ‘Russian-style’ NGO bill
March “No to the Russian law!” from Freedom Square to the national parliament in Bratislava on 3 April 2025. (source: TASR - Jaroslav Novák)
Thousands of people took to the streets of Bratislava on Thursday afternoon, chanting “Shame on this government!” as they marched to parliament in protest against a controversial bill targeting non-governmental organisations.
Organisers say the proposed legislation, expected to be voted on next Wednesday, mirrors Russian and Hungarian efforts to clamp down on civil society by labelling “problematic NGOs” as lobbyists. The government has rejected such comparisons — but critics argue the bill poses a direct threat to Slovak democracy.
Unusual timing, familiar message: The demonstration, organised by the civic initiative Mier Ukrajine (Peace for Ukraine), drew between 8,000 and 9,000 protesters, despite being held a day earlier than usual due to the upcoming Bratislava marathon on 5–6 April. The main slogan — Nie ruskému zákonu (“No to the Russian law”) — reflected the demonstrators’ view that the bill is inspired by Kremlin tactics to silence dissent and brand NGOs as “foreign agents”.
What the bill does: A bill tabled by the far-right Slovak National Party (SNS) seeks to tighten oversight of what it labels as lobbying by certain non-governmental organisations — while exempting churches, employers, sports associations and other interest groups. Crucially, the bill fails to define what constitutes lobbying. Instead, it imposes sweeping reporting requirements on NGOs, including mandatory annual disclosures of income, spending, donor identities and the names of individuals serving on governing bodies. Organisations engaging in any form of political outreach — direct or indirect — would also be required to register their activities in a lobbying database and publish detailed reports.
“We’re here because we care”: Zuzana Janíčková from the Banská Bystrica-based initiative Nie v našom meste (Not in Our Town) invoked former Czechoslovak President Tomáš G. Masaryk, saying: “Real democracy is not just about institutions — it needs people united by an idea. That’s why we’re here.” She added, “Prime Minister [Robert Fico], we’re not here for a coup. We’re here because we care about freedom and democracy.”
NGOs cry foul: “This isn’t transparency — it’s surveillance,” said Eva Kováčechová, a lawyer with Via Iuris, accusing the government of targeting dissenters rather than ensuring genuine accountability. “If transparency were truly the goal, we’d already know who funded their campaigns — and who owns their villas and cottages.” The bill, currently in second reading, was fast-tracked through parliament without proper expert scrutiny. A legal analysis commissioned by Via Iuris concluded the draft breaches six fundamental rights and contravenes both constitutional and EU law.
Fico doubles down: Prime Minister Robert Fico, who returned to office in 2023 with a tougher line on civil society, dismissed the Via Iuris analysis as politically driven. “What they wrote is unbelievable. They must think we’re idiots in government,” he said. Shortly before the protest began, the governing coalition submitted a parliamentary resolution rejecting claims that the bill mimics Russian policy. Fico accused protest organisers of scaremongering: “When the lie about us leaving the EU didn’t work, they invented this one. This bill is based on EU standards, not Russian ones.” In fact, the ruling coalition insists the bill takes its cue from Germany. Fico insisted NGOs not engaged in political activity would be unaffected.
More protests ahead: Following Thursday’s demonstrations in Bratislava and Košice — where around 1,500 people joined — and several smaller towns, further protests are scheduled on Friday in more than 30 locations across the country. Organisers say rallies will resume again after Easter.
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Kremlin kinks: From clandestine pacts to handshakes with Vladimir Putin, Slovakia’s ruling elites have never quite broken up with Russia — they have just taken breaks.
Resilient ride: Volkswagen’s Bratislava plant delivered record profits and output in 2024, but new US tariffs and rising regional costs threaten to throw Slovakia’s auto industry into reverse.
Volkswagen Slovakia plant in Bratislava (source: Courtesy of Volkswagen Slovakia)
Pipe dreams: Undeterred by war, explosions and EU scepticism, Slovakia is doubling down on its fantasy of reviving Russian gas transit through Ukraine.
Historic makeover: Bratislava plans to turn a 1904 architectural gem above the Salvator pharmacy into rental flats.
Iodine oasis: Once nearly wiped out by plague and war, Číž spa rose from the ashes after a lucky strike of salty water and became a healing haven famed for its iodine-rich springs.
Free fun in Bratislava: From cherry blossoms and shogi to modern jazz and algorithmic art.
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PROFILE INTERVIEW
A diplomat’s path from Gdansk to Bratislava
Maja Wawrzyk (source: International Visegrad Fund)
Poland’s Maja Wawrzyk did not just bring her family to Bratislava — she brought a vision for deeper regional ties. As the International Visegrad Fund marks a milestone year, she and her team are working to ensure its future is more connected, more relevant and more visible. From grants for filmmakers to photo projects with the homeless, Wawrzyk is making soft power tangible — and with a year left in her post, she is showing no signs of slowing down.
VET WHO YOU ARE POSING WITH
Slovak opera star Dvorský regrets photo with notorious extremist
Extremist Daniel Bombic (l) poses with opera legend Peter Dvorský. (source: Facebook - Na druhom brehu)
A single photo has triggered a PR crisis for Slovak opera legend Peter Dvorský. The singer posed at a public event with Daniel Bombic — a far-right agitator wanted on multiple charges — who proudly posted the image online. Dvorský, now facing a backlash, issued a statement: “I’m ashamed. I stood next to a man who embodies everything I reject.” He claimed he did not recognise Bombic, blaming his absence from social media.
Bombic, known online as Danny Kollár, was extradited from the UK in January. Slovak prosecutors accuse him of hate speech, promoting extremism, and inciting racial hatred.
The photo was taken at an event hosted by actor and anti-vaxxer Milan Markovič, who also posed with Bombic.
“I’ve learnt my lesson,” Dvorský said, vowing to refuse photos with people “whose values contradict respect and decency.”
IN OTHER NEWS
In response to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, Czechia will restrict all freight traffic from Slovakia to five border crossings (Mosty u Jablunkova, Starý Hrozenkov, Bíla-Bumbálka, Břeclav and Hodonín) from midnight. Austria will temporarily close two crossings — a ferry and a cycle bridge — from Saturday.
Slovakia, likely to be the EU country hardest hit by new US tariffs, is bracing for economic fallout while waiting on Brussels to negotiate concessions. “It’s a historic moment — a small European-American Armageddon,” said central bank chief Peter Kažimír, warning of slower growth, labour market jitters and rising prices. The 25-percent tariff on cars, which took effect Thursday, strikes at the heart of Slovakia’s export economy. A similar levy on car parts is delayed by a month, while broader 10-percent duties on imports kick in on 5 April, with more to follow on 9 April. Bratislava has so far held its fire. Prime Minister Robert Fico has not commented, but his coalition partner SNS wants Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič recalled, slamming his “passivity” and branding him the “father” of the Green Deal. Hlas leader Matúš Šutaj Eštok, meanwhile, turned his fire on the EU, accusing it of moralising while neglecting prosperity and security.
Estonia, the new German government and several MEPs have called for Hungary’s EU voting rights to be suspended after it banned Pride marches. Slovak MEP Ľuboš Blaha (Smer) hit back in Strasbourg, vowing Slovakia would block any such move in the Council, accusing “liberal extremists” of targeting Hungary. (Euractiv)
The government, led by Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer), has formally acknowledged the draft of the WHO’s global pandemic accord but insists on preserving maximum national sovereignty. Fico has dismissed the treaty as a “pharma industry invention”. Two experts involved in preparing Slovakia’s position claim their original recommendations were altered without their knowledge. Health Minister Kamil Šaško (Hlas) admitted the edits but denied responsibility for the document being sent to cabinet under a classified regime. (Sme)
Blown eggs during an attempt to set a Slovak record for the longest chain of blown eggs, held at Freedom Square in Humenné, eastern Slovakia, on 3 April 2025. The eggs were prepared by children from 14 primary and nursery schools. Using over 8,000 eggs, the participants created a chain measuring 444.4 metres. (source: TASR - Roman Hanc)
Two children in Košice were hospitalised in March after overdosing on paracetamol, reportedly linked to a viral social media challenge encouraging excessive pill-taking to impress peers. Health authorities warn the trend can cause liver and kidney failure, and urge immediate medical help in suspected cases.
Slovakia has asked Spain to temporarily deploy its air defence system on Slovak territory. Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár (Smer) made the request under NATO’s rotational deployment mechanism. The move comes as Slovakia seeks to bolster its defences until it obtains its own airspace protection capabilities.
Slovakia has evacuated 13 Palestinian children and their family members from Gaza, marking its fourth such mission. The operation was carried out by the Interior Ministry’s air wing under the EURACARE Flight & Shelter initiative. The young patients received medical care in Cairo before being flown to Spain.
FRIDAY WEATHER BRIEFING: Mostly clear, with occasional periods of increased cloud cover. Daytime highs will range from 16°C to 22°C. (SHMÚ)
White storks in a nest in the village of Mojš near Žilina on Friday, 28 March 2025. (source: TASR - Daniel Stehlik)
HAPPY NAME DAY: April 4 is a special day for Izidor, so if you know one, don’t forget to send your warmest wishes. Všetko najlepšie!
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