Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
♥ Support DávkaNewsletter
Last refreshed: 29/06/2026 10:39 · 57 articles added
Stories are refreshed at 05:30, 10:30, 15:30, and 21:30 UTC.

Domestic Politics

View all2805 stories
Domestic Politics

Energy Regulator Seeks Guidance on Constitutional Court Ruling About Heat Cost Distribution

Slovakia's energy regulator ARTAV has requested guidance following a Constitutional Court decision that declared part of a regulation unconstitutional. The Constitutional Court, Slovakia's highest authority on constitutional matters, ruled that provisions requiring apartments with individual heating systems to participate in the distribution of communal heating costs violate the constitution. The decision affects how heating expenses are calculated and shared among residents in multi-apartment buildings, where some units rely on central heating while others use individual heating systems.

TASR/Teraz
|
Domestic Politics

Slovak National Party Offers to Replace Environment Minister Nominee

The Slovak National Party (SNS) announced Tuesday it would distance itself from a controversial Tatra Mountains zoning proposal prepared by Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba and offered to replace him as their nominee for the position. The SNS, a nationalist party that is part of Slovakia's ruling coalition, made the announcement amid growing criticism of Taraba's environmental policies. The Tatra Mountains zoning proposal has sparked significant debate over environmental protection measures in Slovakia's most important national park area, which contains the country's highest peaks and is a major tourist destination.

TASR/Teraz
|
Domestic Politics

Slovak Government Postpones Economic Measures Again as Coalition Struggles to Reach Agreement

The Slovak government has once again delayed announcing economic measures intended to support the country's struggling economy, as the ruling coalition remains unable to reach internal consensus on key policies. Opposition parties criticized the government for exploiting the tripartite negotiations—talks between the government, employers, and trade unions—as a delaying tactic rather than genuinely working toward solutions. The postponement highlights ongoing divisions within the coalition government of Prime Minister Robert Fico, which includes the social-democratic Smer-SD party, the nationalist Slovak National Party, and the populist Hlas party. Slovakia's economy has faced mounting pressures from inflation, energy costs, and broader European economic uncertainty, making the lack of decisive government action a source of growing political tension.

SME
|
Domestic Politics

Opposition Criticizes Government Over Zoning Proposal and Hospital Construction in Prešov

Slovak opposition lawmakers have criticized the government over a proposed zoning initiative and hospital construction project in Prešov, warning that the country could lose half a billion euros as a result. The opposition parties, which do not hold power in Slovakia's current ruling coalition, raised concerns about the financial implications of these government decisions. Prešov, located in eastern Slovakia, is the country's third-largest city and serves as a regional administrative center. The criticism reflects broader tensions between the ruling coalition and opposition parties over government spending priorities and regional development policies.

Korzár
|
Domestic Politics

Slovak Ombudsman to Challenge Košice Law at Constitutional Court Over Voter Equality Concerns

Slovakia's Public Defender of Rights (ombudsman) Róbert Dobrovodský announced he will challenge a newly approved amendment to the Košice city law at the Constitutional Court immediately after its publication in the official legal gazette. Dobrovodský argues the legislation deforms the weight of voters' voices and will seek urgent suspension of the law's effectiveness due to upcoming autumn municipal elections. The ombudsman's office serves as an independent institution that protects citizens' rights and monitors the constitutionality of legislation. Košice is Slovakia's second-largest city and the country's eastern regional capital, making changes to its municipal governance structure particularly significant for local democracy and voter representation.

Aktuality
|
Domestic Politics

Christian Democrats Accuse Interior Minister of Misleading Claims About Regional Funding

The Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), a center-right opposition party, has accused Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok of making misleading statements regarding regional funding distribution. KDH officials countered claims by asserting that Orthodox communities also received financial support from regional subsidy schemes, contradicting the minister's previous statements about the allocation of public funds to religious organizations.

Korzár
|
Domestic Politics

Smer-SD Politician Receives Suspended Sentence for Agricultural Subsidy Fraud

Ľubica Rošková, a politician from Smer-SD, received a suspended prison sentence and a 10,000-euro fine for fraudulently obtaining 152,000 euros in agricultural subsidies. Rošková, nicknamed "Our Ľubka" and known as the "countess from the east," benefited from recent government amendments to the penal code that allowed for the lighter sentence. The case involved the politician illegally claiming agricultural subsidies to which she was not entitled. Smer-SD is Slovakia's ruling social-democratic party, which forms the core of the current government coalition. The lenient sentence highlights the impact of recent changes to Slovakia's criminal law, which have reduced penalties for certain types of fraud and corruption offenses, drawing criticism from opposition parties and anti-corruption advocates.

Dennik N
|
Domestic Politics

Slovak Prime Minister's Performance Criticized as Empty Political Theater

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has been criticized for what commentators describe as a performance consisting primarily of empty phrases and political posturing. The assessment suggests that Fico's recent public appearances amount to superficial activity designed to create an impression of action rather than substantive governance. Robert Fico, leader of the social-democratic Smer-SD party, returned to power in October 2023 as head of a coalition government after winning parliamentary elections. The criticism reflects broader concerns about the government's approach to addressing Slovakia's challenges through what observers characterize as theatrical displays rather than concrete policy implementation.

SME
|
Domestic Politics

Political split emerges within Slovak National Party over national parks reform

A dispute over the restructuring of Slovakia's national parks has triggered a political rift within the Slovak National Party (SNS), one of the parties in the country's ruling coalition. Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba claims that a controversial zoning proposal for the parks was overseen by an SNS nominee, but the party leadership has rejected responsibility for the plan. The SNS has accused Taraba of creating alibis and defending oligarch interests, while Taraba has firmly rejected these attacks. The internal conflict highlights tensions within the coalition government over environmental policy and the management of Slovakia's protected natural areas.

Aktuality
|
Domestic Politics

Defense Minister Kaliňák Accuses Christian Democrats of Targeted Criticism Over Prešov Hospital Project

Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák accused the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) of using "classic targeted criticism" regarding the Prešov hospital project. Kaliňák, whose Smer-SD party leads Slovakia's ruling coalition, claimed that KDH's criticism only confirms the opposition party lacks experience with large-scale infrastructure projects. The exchange represents the latest political dispute over major public works projects, with the Christian Democratic Movement, a center-right opposition party, challenging the government's handling of hospital development in the eastern Slovak city of Prešov.

SME
|
Domestic Politics

Coalition Leader Calls for Minister's Dismissal but Prime Minister Refuses

Coalition council member Andrej Danko demanded the dismissal of Minister Denisa Saková Taraba from the government during a recent coalition meeting. However, Prime Minister Robert Fico rejected the call and decided to keep Taraba in her position. The disagreement highlights tensions within Slovakia's ruling coalition, which consists of Fico's Smer-SD social democratic party, Danko's Slovak National Party (SNS), and the Voice party. Coalition councils serve as coordinating bodies where the governing parties discuss policy and personnel decisions.

Bratislavak
|
Domestic Politics

Dispute Erupts Between Slovak Politicians Over Blaha's Security Detail in Bratislava

A political controversy emerged in Bratislava involving Ľuboš Blaha and his security detail, sparking a public dispute between prominent Slovak politicians. Veronika Remišová, leader of the liberal opposition party For the People, criticized the presence of Blaha's security protection. In response, Ján Gašpar defended the arrangement, characterizing criticism as attacks against Blaha. Blaha is a prominent member of Smer-SD, the ruling social-democratic party, and serves as a vice-chairman of the National Council, Slovakia's parliament. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between the ruling coalition and opposition parties in Slovak politics.

Bratislavak
|
Domestic Politics

Supreme Court upholds conviction of former MP Roškova but reduces sentence

Slovakia's Supreme Court has definitively convicted former parliamentarian Roškova of criminal charges while reducing her original sentence. The country's highest judicial authority also modified the ruling regarding damage compensation in the case. The Supreme Court, which serves as Slovakia's final appeals court, has thus concluded the legal proceedings against the former member of parliament, though details of the specific charges and the extent of the sentence reduction were not disclosed.

Korzár
|
Domestic Politics

Law Faculty Dean Removes Former Prosecutor General Čentéš from Position

The dean of Comenius University's Faculty of Law has removed Jozef Čentéš from his position at the institution. Čentéš, a former prosecutor general, has been a vocal critic of criminal law reforms pushed through by Slovakia's ruling coalition government, frequently appearing in media to challenge the legislative changes. Over the weekend, he participated in an event organized by the Stop Corruption Foundation. The removal comes amid ongoing tensions between the current government and critics of its judicial reforms, with Čentéš representing one of the most prominent legal voices opposing the coalition's changes to the country's criminal codes.

Dennik NAktuality
|
Domestic Politics

Opposition MP Files Criminal Complaint Against Interior Minister and Deputy Over Children's Event

Opposition MP Holečková has filed a criminal complaint against Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok and his deputy Tomáš Rendý in connection with a children's event. The complaint targets the two senior officials from the ruling Smer-SD party, though specific details about the nature of the alleged wrongdoing or the children's event in question have not been disclosed. Slovakia's Interior Ministry oversees domestic security and police operations, making any criminal allegations against its leadership politically sensitive for the current government.

Bratislavak
|
Domestic Politics

Slovak Food Vendor Fine Sparks Outcry Over Harsh Penalty System

A controversial fine imposed on a food stall selling lángos pastries in the Slovak town of Kvetoslavov has triggered widespread public anger across the country. While initial public outrage focused on tax inspectors who issued the penalty, business operators say the real responsibility lies with legislation deliberately crafted by the finance ministry and approved by parliament. The case has exposed what entrepreneurs describe as a legislative trap that allows devastating financial penalties for minor paperwork errors, despite warnings from business practitioners that such harsh measures would prove destructive. The incident highlights broader concerns about Slovakia's business environment and the government's approach to tax enforcement, with critics arguing that officials ignored reasonable objections from the private sector when designing the penalty system.

Aktuality
|
Domestic Politics

Slovak Audit Office Chief Alleges Government Uses Taxpayer Money to Silence Critics Through Legal Intimidation

Slovakia's Supreme Audit Office has raised concerns about government ministries using taxpayer funds to hire expensive lawyers for legal disputes that may be aimed at silencing or intimidating critics. According to Ľubomír Andrassy, head of the Supreme Audit Office, the practice represents a misuse of public resources. The allegations suggest that state institutions are employing costly legal representation not necessarily for legitimate administrative purposes, but potentially as a tool of intimidation against those who criticize government actions. The Supreme Audit Office, which serves as Slovakia's independent public spending watchdog, monitors how government institutions use taxpayer money and has oversight authority to investigate questionable expenditures.

Aktuality
|
Domestic Politics

Slovak Government Faces Criticism for Excluding Partners from Growth Package Discussions

The Slovak government is expected to debate so-called pro-growth measures today, but is facing criticism for repeating the same pattern seen with its consolidation packages by failing to publicly discuss the proposals or officially present their final form. Trade unions and employers are demanding that the measures be discussed at the tripartite forum before approval. The ruling coalition, led by the social-democratic Smer-SD party, is also facing internal criticism, with objections coming from coalition partner SNS (Slovak National Party) and even from within the government itself, as at least one minister has expressed disagreement with parts of the package. The tripartite is Slovakia's formal consultation mechanism between the government, trade unions, and employer organizations for discussing major economic and social policies.

Dennik N
|
Domestic Politics

Facebook Page Portraying Slovak PM Fico as Family Man Sponsored by Vietnamese Accounts

A Facebook page depicting Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico as a loving father and husband has been created and is being sponsored by accounts traced to Vietnam. The page has attracted hundreds of followers with content showing Fico with his wife and son. The foreign sponsorship of the page raises questions about the source and intent behind the social media campaign promoting Slovakia's current leader. Fico heads the ruling Smer-SD party and has been a dominant figure in Slovak politics for over two decades, currently serving his fourth term as prime minister.

Aktuality
|
Domestic Politics

Slovak Government to Review Environmental Cleanup and Food Industry Policies

The Slovak government will address new regulations for state aid in environmental remediation and review food industry policies. The proposed changes would establish updated rules for how the state provides financial assistance for cleaning up environmental contamination sites. The government agenda also includes discussions on the food industry sector, though specific details of the planned measures have not been disclosed.

TASR/Teraz
|