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Domestic Politics

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Domestic Politics

Opposition Democrats Return Flowers to Government Office on International Women's Day

Members of the opposition Democrats party returned flowers to the government office on International Women's Day, stating that Slovak women need a decent government rather than empty gestures with flowers. The symbolic protest took place outside the government building in what appears to be a criticism of the current administration's policies toward women's issues. The Democrats, a liberal opposition party, used the international observance to make a broader political statement about governance quality rather than accepting traditional ceremonial offerings.

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Domestic Politics

Gröhling Makes Move Against Sulík in SaS Leadership Dispute

A power struggle within Slovakia's liberal Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party has intensified as Branislav Gröhling moved against former party leader Richard Sulík. The development signals the end of Sulík's influential faction within SaS, marking a significant shift in the party's internal dynamics. SaS, which is part of Slovakia's opposition after losing its position in the ruling coalition, has been experiencing internal tensions over leadership and direction since its electoral setbacks.

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Domestic Politics

Gröhling Takes Action Against Sulík in Freedom and Solidarity Party

Liberal party Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) leader Branislav Gröhling has moved against former party chairman Richard Sulík and his supporters within the party. The action appears to have effectively ended Sulík's influence within SaS, marking a significant internal power struggle in the opposition liberal party. SaS, which currently sits in opposition to the ruling coalition led by Robert Fico's Smer-SD party, has experienced ongoing tensions between different factions since losing its position in government following the 2023 parliamentary elections.

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Domestic Politics

Eastern Slovakia Court Corruption Case Returns to First Instance Court for Tuesday Hearing

A major corruption case involving eastern Slovakia's courts has been returned to a first-instance court for renewed proceedings, with hearings scheduled to begin Tuesday. The case, which involves allegations of corruption within the regional court system in eastern Slovakia, will also have additional proceedings scheduled for April. The return to first-instance level indicates that higher courts have overturned or remanded previous rulings, requiring the case to be reheard from the beginning in the lower court system.

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Domestic Politics

Slovakia's Defense Minister Proposes Doubling Election Deposit and Ending Postal Voting

Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák announced plans to double the election deposit required from political parties to 35,000 euros and replace postal voting from abroad with voting at embassies. Kaliňák, a member of the ruling Smer-SD party, outlined these proposed electoral reforms during a Sunday television discussion. The higher deposit would make it more expensive for parties to participate in elections, while the change to embassy-only voting would eliminate the current option for Slovak citizens living abroad to vote by mail. These proposals represent significant changes to Slovakia's electoral system that could affect both party participation and voter access for the country's diaspora community.

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Domestic Politics

Slovak Energy Dependence on Russian Oil and Gas Driven by Politics and Profits, Analysis Shows

Slovakia's continued reliance on Russian oil and gas imports cannot be justified by the technical and economic reasons officially presented by the government, according to a new analysis. The study suggests that while authorities cite logistical constraints and cost considerations for maintaining energy ties with Russia, these arguments are easily refuted by available alternatives. Instead, the research points to political motivations and financial interests as the primary drivers behind Slovakia's energy policy. The analysis highlights the role of intermediary companies in the energy trade and raises questions about where profits from these transactions ultimately flow. Slovakia has faced international pressure to reduce its dependence on Russian energy supplies following the invasion of Ukraine, but has secured exemptions from EU sanctions citing technical difficulties in switching suppliers. The findings suggest that Slovakia's energy dependency on Russia serves specific political and economic interests rather than genuine technical necessities, challenging the government's public justification for maintaining these controversial energy relationships.

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Domestic Politics

Slovak Political Party Rejects Cultural War Tactics on Social Issues

A Slovak political party has announced it will not engage in aggressive tactics on cultural and ethnic issues, distancing itself from so-called "culture war" politics. The party stated it does not want to "battle" over cultural-ethnic topics, suggesting a more moderate approach to divisive social issues that have become focal points in political debates across Europe.

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Domestic Politics

Slovak Political Figure Distances Party from Culture War Topics

A Slovak political representative has stated their party does not want to engage in divisive debates over cultural and ethical issues. The statement appears to be a response to ongoing discussions about culture war politics in Slovakia. The politician emphasized their party's preference to avoid what they described as "battling" over culturally sensitive topics, suggesting a strategic decision to focus on other policy areas rather than engage in polarizing social debates.

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Domestic Politics

Interior Minister Defends Electoral Law Changes in Political Discussions

Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák defended proposed changes to electoral laws during recent political discussions. The minister from Smer-SD, Slovakia's ruling social-democratic party, addressed criticism of the government's electoral reform proposals. Kaliňák also indicated he would welcome the return of former party member Tomáš Ferenčák to Smer-SD. The discussions come as Slovakia's governing coalition, led by Prime Minister Robert Fico's Smer-SD, faces ongoing debates over proposed modifications to the country's electoral system, which opposition parties have criticized as potentially undermining democratic processes.

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Domestic Politics

Opposition Criticizes Culture Minister's Expensive Trip to European Capital of Culture 2026 Opening

Slovakia's opposition party Progressive Slovakia (PS) has criticized Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová over the costs of her participation in the opening ceremony of the European Capital of Culture 2026. PS lawmaker Kleinert claims the ministry booked accommodation costing 4,000 euros for the minister's attendance at the event. The criticism comes amid ongoing political tensions between the ruling coalition, which includes Šimkovičová's Slovak National Party, and the liberal opposition Progressive Slovakia, which frequently scrutinizes government spending practices.

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Domestic Politics

Slovakia's Supreme Court Orders Retrial in Major Corruption Case Known as 'Syseľ'

A first-instance court will resume proceedings next week in the Syseľ corruption case after Slovakia's Supreme Court ordered a retrial. The Supreme Court returned the case to the Specialized Criminal Court in August last year, ruling that the lower court had failed to address all circumstances significant to the decision. The Syseľ case represents one of Slovakia's major corruption investigations, handled by the Specialized Criminal Court, which deals with organized crime and high-level corruption cases. The Supreme Court's decision to order a retrial indicates procedural issues in the original proceedings that must be resolved before a final verdict can be reached.

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Domestic Politics

Former Slovak Prosecutor General's Family Owns Property Development with Ruling Party Donor Relative

Former Slovak Prosecutor General Jaromír Čižnár and his son own a lucrative property development project in Banská Bystrica, partnering with the nephew of a major donor to the ruling Smer party. The development represents another multimillion-euro asset in the Čižnár family portfolio. Their business partner is related to an individual who signed a 32 million euro donation agreement with Smer-SD, Slovakia's ruling social-democratic party. The connection highlights potential financial ties between high-level former judicial officials and the political establishment, raising questions about conflicts of interest in Slovakia's legal and political system.

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Domestic Politics

Hlas Party Postpones Constitutional Amendment to Eliminate Single Electoral District

The Hlas party has decided not to proceed with its proposal to remove the provision for a single electoral district from Slovakia's constitution. The party, which is part of the ruling coalition alongside Smer-SD and SNS, failed to reach agreement with other political parties on this constitutional change. The single electoral district system, where all of Slovakia forms one constituency for parliamentary elections, has been a contentious political issue. Constitutional amendments in Slovakia require broad parliamentary support, making cross-party consensus essential for such changes to succeed.

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Domestic Politics

Former Slovak Prosecutor General Acquires Development Project Through Smer Party Sponsor Connection

Former Slovak General Prosecutor Jaromír Čižnár and his son have acquired a 14-unit residential development project in Bystrica, adding to their already substantial property portfolio. The property was purchased from a relative of a major Smer party donor who previously signed a donation agreement worth 32 million euros to Smer-SD, Slovakia's ruling social-democratic party. The acquisition represents another million-euro addition to the Čižnár family's real estate holdings, which already include 18 residential units. The transaction highlights continued financial connections between Slovakia's former top prosecutor and individuals linked to the country's governing political party, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest in the justice system.

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Domestic Politics

KDH Elects New Deputy Leaders to Strengthen Focus on Healthcare and Education

The Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) elected Ján Horecký and Peter Stachura as new deputy leaders during a party congress in Ružomberok, with delegates making the decision through secret ballot. The appointments signal the party's intention to strengthen its focus on healthcare and education policy. KDH is a center-right Christian democratic opposition party that has been part of Slovakia's political landscape since the 1990s and currently holds seats in parliament but is not part of the ruling coalition.

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Domestic Politics

Christian Democratic Movement Elects New Deputy Leaders at Ružomberok Congress

The Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), a center-right opposition party in Slovakia, elected two new deputy leaders at its party congress in Ružomberok. Delegates chose Ján Horecký and Peter Stachura in a secret ballot to serve as deputy chairmen. The party indicated that these appointments will strengthen its focus on healthcare and education policy areas. KDH has been seeking to rebuild its influence after suffering electoral setbacks in recent years, having previously been a significant force in Slovak politics as a traditional Christian democratic party.

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Domestic Politics

Slovak Prosecutor General Warns Against Political Interference in Criminal Cases

Slovakia's Prosecutor General Maroš Žilinka criticized attempts by politicians to interfere in ongoing criminal proceedings, describing such efforts as harmful. His remarks came in response to statements made by opposition member of parliament Bajo Holečková. Žilinka, who heads Slovakia's prosecution service and oversees major criminal cases, emphasized the importance of maintaining judicial independence from political influence. The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between the prosecution service and opposition politicians in Slovakia's National Council, the country's parliament.

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Domestic Politics

Slovakia's Top Prosecutor Criticizes Politicians for Interfering in Ongoing Criminal Cases

Slovakia's Prosecutor General Maroš Žilinka condemned what he described as harmful attempts by politicians to interfere in ongoing criminal proceedings. His remarks came in response to statements made by opposition MP Bajo Holečková. Žilinka's criticism reflects ongoing tensions between Slovakia's prosecution service and political figures over the handling of criminal cases. The Prosecutor General's office, which oversees major criminal investigations in Slovakia, has faced political pressure from various quarters regarding high-profile cases.

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Domestic Politics

Slovak Christian Democrat Leader Pledges to Oust Prime Minister Fico's Government

Milan Majerský, leader of the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), delivered a sharp attack against Slovakia's current government at his party's national congress in Ružomberok, declaring his goal of achieving a democratic change of Prime Minister Robert Fico's cabinet. The Christian Democratic Movement positioned itself as a pro-European and pro-Atlantic force that aims to restore financial security to families by bringing back tax bonuses that were abolished by the current administration. KDH is one of Slovakia's established opposition parties, representing center-right Christian democratic values and traditionally supporting Western integration through EU and NATO membership.

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Domestic Politics

Slovak Christian Democratic Party Leader Calls for Democratic Removal of Fico Government

Milan Majerský, chairman of the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), delivered a sharp attack against Slovakia's current government at his party's national congress in Ružomberok, declaring the goal of achieving a democratic change of Robert Fico's cabinet. The KDH positioned itself as a pro-European and pro-Atlantic political force that aims to restore financial security to families by reinstating tax bonuses that were abolished by the current administration. Fico leads Slovakia's ruling coalition government, dominated by his Smer-SD party, which has taken increasingly authoritarian positions and moved away from mainstream European Union policies since returning to power. The KDH, a center-right Christian democratic party that has traditionally been part of Slovakia's opposition, is seeking to present itself as an alternative that would restore the country's Western orientation and reverse economic policies that it argues have harmed Slovak families.

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