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Domestic Politics

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Domestic Politics

Opposition Accuses Ruling MP of Using State Offices for Campaign Activities

A member of Slovakia's parliament has been allegedly "listening" from boxes placed in government offices, according to opposition claims of state resource abuse for campaign purposes. The opposition has raised questions about who placed these materials in the offices and accused the ruling party of misusing state infrastructure for political campaigning. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between Slovakia's ruling coalition and opposition parties over the proper use of government resources during political activities.

Korzár
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Domestic Politics

Hlas Party MP Uses Client Service Centers for Campaign, Centers Fall Under Interior Minister's Authority

A member of parliament from the ruling Hlas party has been using government client service centers for campaign activities. The centers, which provide public services to citizens, operate under the authority of Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok, who is also the leader of Hlas. Campaign materials have appeared in these municipal service centers, raising questions about the appropriate use of public facilities for political purposes. Hlas is part of Slovakia's ruling coalition government led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, having formed the current administration following elections in 2023.

Korzár
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Domestic Politics

STVR Media Council Operating Without Chairman for Nine Months, Disrupting Broadcast Oversight

Slovakia's public broadcaster oversight body, the STVR Council, has been operating without a chairman for nine months, creating procedural violations and threatening its ability to function effectively. The council, which supervises the country's public television and radio services, has been experiencing disruptions to its regular operations due to the leadership vacancy. The STVR Council is responsible for overseeing Slovakia's public service broadcasting, including setting programming standards and ensuring compliance with broadcast regulations. The prolonged absence of leadership has resulted in ongoing breaches of the council's procedural rules and has raised concerns about the body's capacity to fulfill its regulatory duties over public media.

Dennik N
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Television Council Chair Violates Procedural Rules for Nine Months, Threatens Institution's Functionality

Igor Machala has been violating the procedural rules of Slovakia's television and radio council for nine months, undermining the institution's ability to function effectively. The Council of STVR, which oversees the country's public broadcasting service, has been operating without a chairman for this extended period. During council meetings, members engage in debates over trivial matters such as whether to use "USA" or "SŠA" as the Slovak abbreviation for the United States, and criticize journalists for minor broadcasting errors. The ongoing procedural violations and lack of leadership threaten the council's capacity to fulfill its regulatory responsibilities over Slovak public media.

Dennik N
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Domestic Politics

Trial of Former Bailiff Kosík in Extortion Case Continues into May

The ongoing trial of former bailiff Kosík in an extortion case remains unresolved, with proceedings scheduled to continue on May 19. The court has set this date for the next hearing in the case. Bailiffs in Slovakia are court-appointed officials responsible for enforcing court decisions and collecting debts, making any criminal charges against such officials significant for the judicial system's integrity.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Parliament Speaker Extends Easter Greetings to Citizens

Parliament Speaker Peter Pellegrini extended Easter greetings to Slovak citizens, expressing wishes that they spend the holiday in good health with their loved ones. He emphasized that Easter can serve as a time for people to reflect on the values that unite them as a society. Pellegrini hoped that this year's Easter celebration would represent a celebration of life, new beginnings, and peace of mind for all Slovaks.

TASR/Teraz
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Domestic Politics

Court postpones trial of pensioner accused of approving assassination attempt on Slovak PM

The Specialized Criminal Court postponed proceedings against Július K., a pensioner charged with approving an assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico. The defendant faces three to ten years in prison if convicted. The Specialized Criminal Court handles serious crimes including terrorism, organized crime, and corruption cases in Slovakia. Fico, who leads the ruling Smer-SD party, survived an assassination attempt in May 2024 when he was shot multiple times after a government meeting in the town of Handlová.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Slovakia's Hlas Party Proposes Electronic Fishing License Option

Slovakia's Hlas party has proposed allowing fishing licenses to be purchased electronically, while maintaining the existing paper-based system. The proposal would introduce a digital alternative for obtaining fishing permits, though printed licenses would remain available for those who prefer the traditional format.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Defense Ministry Signs Contract for Excavators Worth Over Five Million Euros

Slovakia's Ministry of Defense has signed a contract for excavators valued at more than five million euros excluding VAT. The agreement stipulates delivery of the first 30 units by December 15, 2026. The excavators will be used to support the Slovak Armed Forces' engineering and infrastructure capabilities, though the ministry has not disclosed the specific contractor or detailed specifications of the equipment.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Nationalist Party Proposes Higher Pension Increases for Oldest Retirees

Members of parliament from the Slovak National Party (SNS) have proposed significantly increasing pensions for the country's oldest retirees. The proposal would result in additional budget expenditures of tens of millions of euros. SNS is part of Slovakia's ruling coalition government alongside the social-democratic Smer-SD party and the centrist Hlas party. The pension increase proposal comes as Slovakia faces ongoing discussions about social welfare spending and budget constraints, with the government seeking to balance improved benefits for seniors against fiscal pressures.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Planning Commission Challenges Federal Judge's Ruling on Trump Hall Construction Project

Slovakia's National Planning Commission for the capital city is opposing a federal judge's previous ruling regarding the Trump Hall construction project. The federal judge had ordered a halt to construction work unless the project receives approval from Congress. The dispute over the Trump Hall development continues as local planning authorities resist the judicial intervention in the construction process.

SME
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Domestic Politics

STVR Employees Protest Purges as Over 330 Sign Open Letter

More than 330 employees of Slovakia's public broadcaster STVR have signed an open letter protesting what they describe as purges within the organization. The workforce action represents significant internal opposition to changes being implemented at the state television and radio company. STVR, which operates Slovakia's main public television and radio services, has been undergoing management changes that have prompted concern among staff members about the direction of the broadcaster and potential impacts on editorial independence.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Fired STVR Journalist Criticizes Mass Layoffs as 'Gross Arrogance'

Soňa Gyarfášová, a journalist dismissed from Slovakia's public broadcaster STVR, has condemned the recent mass layoffs at the institution as demonstrating "gross arrogance and lack of staff culture." Gyarfášová questioned why the broadcaster continued hiring new employees immediately before implementing widespread dismissals, arguing that STVR is not a private company and should not operate with such disregard for its workforce. The criticism comes amid broader concerns about the management and direction of STVR, Slovakia's state television and radio service, which serves as the country's primary public broadcasting institution funded by taxpayers and mandated to provide independent news coverage.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Slovak University Denies Platform to State Media Director Amid Censorship Criticism

A Slovak university has refused to provide a platform for Martina Flašíková, the director of STVR, Slovakia's public television and radio broadcaster. The academic institution cited Flašíková's role in censorship interventions in broadcasting, the dismantling of newsrooms, and the dismissal of journalists and editors considered important for society. The university's decision reflects broader criticism from academic circles toward the state broadcaster's leadership over its handling of editorial independence and personnel decisions.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Prime Minister Quietly Expanded His Luxury Apartment in Bratislava Residence

Prime Minister Robert Fico has enlarged his luxury apartment in a residential complex beneath Slavín Hill in Bratislava by covering and glazing over a terrace. The construction work was carried out without the knowledge of the Old Town building authority, which should have been notified of such modifications. The unauthorized expansion of the prime minister's residence raises questions about proper building permit procedures and compliance with municipal regulations in the Slovak capital.

Dennik NAktuality
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Domestic Politics

Slovakia Plans to Abolish Postal Voting While Hungarian Experts Recommend Romanian Model

Slovakia's government is planning to eliminate postal voting in elections, a move critics claim is motivated by the system's advantage to Progressive Slovakia (PS), the main opposition party. The development contrasts sharply with neighboring Hungary, where experts are recommending the adoption of Romania's postal voting model even as the Hungarian government maintains the current system because it benefits the ruling Fidesz party. Progressive Slovakia is a liberal opposition party that has gained support among Slovak voters living abroad, who rely on postal voting to participate in elections. The contrasting approaches in the two countries highlight how electoral systems can be shaped by partisan political considerations, with governments potentially adjusting voting mechanisms based on which parties they favor.

Dennik N
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Communities Worldwide Defend Mail-In Voting Rights, Call on Politicians to Ease Voting Access

Slovak expatriate communities from New York to Paris are defending their right to vote by mail and calling on politicians and the president to avoid making electoral participation more difficult. The overseas communities argue that instead of questioning whether they have the right to vote, Slovak politicians should focus on understanding why citizens left the country and what would bring them back home.

Dennik N
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Domestic Politics

Vladimir Durec Named Head of Organized Crime Unit

Vladimir Durec has been leading Slovakia's Office for Combating Organized Crime since April, according to an announcement from the Police Corps Presidium. The organizational change had been previously announced by the police leadership, which oversees Slovakia's specialized units handling organized crime investigations and operations.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Slovak President Says Citizens Need Not Fear Fuel Shortages

Slovak President Peter Pellegrini assured citizens they do not need to fear fuel shortages in the country. The head of state also expressed support for the government's decision to introduce differentiated diesel prices for Slovak citizens versus foreign nationals. The pricing mechanism represents the government's response to fuel supply concerns, though specific details about the price differences or implementation timeline were not provided.

TASR/Teraz
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Government Faces Uncertain Future as Coalition Stability Questioned

Slovakia's ruling coalition is facing mounting challenges that raise questions about its ability to remain in power until the next scheduled elections. The government's stability has become increasingly precarious amid ongoing political pressures. Slovakia operates under a parliamentary system where the government must maintain majority support in the National Council, the country's parliament. Coalition governments are common in Slovak politics, but maintaining unity among different parties with varying priorities often proves difficult. The current uncertainty reflects broader challenges facing the ruling parties as they attempt to navigate domestic and international pressures while maintaining their governing mandate.

Aktuality
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