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Domestic Politics

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Domestic Politics

Opposition Party Demands Withdrawal of SNS Tax Proposal, Warning of Higher Taxes for Businesses

The liberal opposition party Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) has called for the immediate withdrawal of a local tax proposal submitted by the Slovak National Party (SNS), a member of the ruling coalition. SaS warned that the SNS proposal would result in higher taxes and increased bureaucratic harassment for entrepreneurs and businesses. The Slovak National Party, led by Andrej Danko, is part of the governing coalition alongside the social-democratic Smer-SD party and the centrist Hlas party. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions over tax policy between the ruling coalition and opposition parties, with SaS positioning itself as a defender of business interests against what it characterizes as anti-business measures.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Actors and Comedians Return to Political Activism After 25-Year Hiatus

Prominent Slovak actors and comedians, including the comedy duo Noga & Skrúcaný, have announced their return to political activism, admitting they mistakenly believed their civic duty was complete after helping end Vladimir Mečiar's rule in 1998. During the 1990s, these entertainers were banned from state television and radio under Mečiar's authoritarian government and responded by touring the country to expose government scandals and mobilize voters. Their campaign contributed to Mečiar's electoral defeat in the fall 1998 elections, which kept Slovakia from remaining isolated in Europe. The group, which also included respected actors Ladislav Chudík, Milan Lasica, Marián Labuda, and Jaro Filip, had stepped back from political involvement after 1998, believing their work was done. Now they acknowledge this was a mistake and are re-engaging in civic activism, though the article does not specify what current political developments have prompted their return.

Dennik N
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Domestic Politics

Opposition Party Challenges Citizenship Law at Constitutional Court Over LGBTI Rights

Progresívne Slovensko, an opposition liberal party, has filed a petition with the Constitutional Court challenging Slovakia's citizenship law, arguing it inadequately protects LGBTI citizens. The party claims that LGBTI individuals are being involuntarily stripped of their Slovak citizenship in certain cases under current legislation. The Constitutional Court, Slovakia's highest judicial authority on constitutional matters, will now review whether the citizenship law violates constitutional principles of equal treatment and protection of fundamental rights.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Former Anti-Corruption Chief Warns Major Bribery Case Could Collapse Under New Legal Amendments

A former senior anti-corruption official has warned that a major bribery case involving two high-profile suspects could collapse if proposed amendments to Slovakia's criminal procedure code are approved. Ľubomír Daňko, who previously headed the Očistec (Purgatory) working group that investigated corruption in law enforcement, said the amendments could render key witnesses unusable in the case against former police chief Tibor Gašpar and businessman Norbert Bödör. The case centers on allegations of massive bribery, with all participants except Gašpar and Bödör agreeing that such corruption occurred. If the proposed legal changes classify cooperating witnesses as unusable informants, Daňko warned the entire case could fall apart, potentially allowing the two main suspects to escape prosecution.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Government Coalition Risks Municipal Bankruptcy Crisis, Delays Solution Until September

Slovakia's ruling coalition is facing a potential crisis as local governments risk financial collapse, with solutions being postponed until September. The coalition, led by Prime Minister Robert Fico's Smer-SD party along with the nationalist SNS and Hlas parties, appears to be considering using legislation proposed by SNS as a mechanism to implement changes to the country's debt brake rules. The debt brake is a constitutional mechanism that limits government borrowing and spending to maintain fiscal stability. The delay in addressing municipal financial difficulties could leave local governments across Slovakia struggling with budget shortfalls and potential bankruptcy proceedings. The situation highlights growing tensions within the coalition over fiscal policy and the management of public finances at both national and local levels.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Slovakia Marks Two Years Since Assassination Attempt on Prime Minister Fico

Slovakia commemorates the second anniversary of the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico in the town of Handlová. Fico, who survived the shooting attack two years ago, is scheduled to make a public statement at noon regarding the incident. The prime minister leads a coalition government dominated by the social-democratic Smer-SD party. Meanwhile, Bratislava launched its first electric bike-sharing system in partnership with Slovnaft, marking a significant development in the capital's public transportation infrastructure.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Former Slovak PM Matovič Faces Legal Issues Over Defamation Case

Former Prime Minister Igor Matovič is facing legal troubles related to a defamation case involving Ľuboš Blaha. Blaha, a prominent politician, claims that justice is finally coming after what he describes as years of unfair treatment by Matovič. The former prime minister, who has had over three years to apologize to Blaha, maintains he has not done so for straightforward reasons, though the specific details of his justification were not elaborated. The case appears to center on previous public statements or actions by Matovič that Blaha characterized as defamatory manipulation.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Morning Brief: Fico Initially Dreamed of Merz, Kaliňák Didn't Show All Cards Near Prešov

A morning news briefing highlights key developments in Slovak politics, including commentary on Prime Minister Robert Fico's earlier aspirations regarding Friedrich Merz and Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák's strategic discretion regarding matters near Prešov. The briefing appears to cover the most important news stories of the day through both written and audio formats.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Hungarian Alliance Leader Says Party Won't Reverse Exclusion of Smer While He Remains Chairman

László Gubík, who became chairman of the Hungarian Alliance in autumn 2024, has declared that the party will not reverse its decision to exclude Smer and the Republic party from potential cooperation as long as he leads the organization. The 40-year-old politician, born in Levice and educated in Budapest, previously served as chairman of the youth organization of the Party of the Hungarian Community called Via Nova. In a recent interview, Gubík discussed the party's decision-making process regarding the exclusion of Smer-SD, the ruling social-democratic party, and Republic, a far-right opposition party, as well as his expectations for negotiations with other opposition parties. The Hungarian Alliance represents Slovakia's ethnic Hungarian minority, which comprises about 8% of the country's population. Gubík also addressed his views on Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar and criticized Prime Minister Robert Fico's recent visit to Moscow, highlighting tensions over Slovakia's foreign policy orientation amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Dennik N
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Domestic Politics

Slovak News Roundup: EU Fund Fraud Investigation and Street Vendor Controversy

Slovak authorities are awaiting findings from the European Public Prosecutor's Office regarding investigations into alleged misuse of EU funds for construction projects, with officials stating their own oversight found no irregularities. Meanwhile, a separate controversy has emerged involving a street vendor selling traditional Slovak flatbread called langos, though specific details of this case remain unclear. The juxtaposition of these stories highlights ongoing concerns about transparency in both major EU-funded developments and everyday business regulation in Slovakia.

Dennik N
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Domestic Politics

Minister Šutaj Eštok Faces Setbacks as Lángos Scandal Continues to Dominate Slovak Politics

Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok suffered a political setback as the so-called "lángos scandal" continued to stir controversy across Slovakia's political scene and public debate. The scandal, which has become a significant talking point in Slovak politics, involves allegations that have kept the minister and his department under intense scrutiny. The ongoing affair has generated widespread discussion among politicians and the public, with new polling data reflecting the political impact of recent controversies affecting the government coalition.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Coalition Keeps Economic Growth Measures Secret as Internal Disputes Surface

Slovakia's ruling coalition has yet to reveal details of economic stimulus measures following a Thursday coalition council meeting, with the public left in the dark about the government's plans to support the economy. The coalition issued only a brief statement announcing that the first package of measures would include changes that have no impact on the state budget. The secrecy surrounding the pro-growth initiatives comes as internal disputes within the coalition have become increasingly visible, raising questions about the government's ability to implement coherent economic policy. The lack of transparency regarding these economic measures reflects broader challenges facing Prime Minister Robert Fico's coalition government, which has struggled with internal disagreements since taking power.

Dennik N
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Domestic Politics

Digital advocacy group calls on Slovak government to act on Slovensko.sk portal renewal

Slovensko.Digital, a civic technology advocacy organization, has called on the Slovak government to take action regarding the renewal of the Slovensko.sk portal, the country's main digital government services platform. The organization stated that recent statements confirm that the Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization (MIRRI) cannot hide basic information about citizen services behind classification rules during the portal's renovation process. The call highlights concerns about transparency in the government's digital transformation efforts, as Slovensko.sk serves as the primary gateway for citizens to access public services online.

TASR/Teraz
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Domestic Politics

Key Witness in Lawyer Murder Case Previously Interrogated Suspects in Major Gambling Scandal

A police investigator who questioned suspects in the murder of lawyer Ernest Valko had previously interrogated the same individuals in the Tipos case, a major gambling and corruption scandal. Špirko, the investigating officer, conducted interrogations of the accused in both cases, creating a connection between the two high-profile investigations. Meanwhile, expert witness Heretik has been removed from the Valko murder case, requiring prosecutors to obtain a new expert assessment. The Tipos case involved allegations of corruption and illegal activities within Slovakia's state-run lottery and gambling operations, while the Valko murder case centers on the killing of a prominent lawyer who had represented clients in various criminal cases.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Government Villa in Tatras Under Renovation as Million-Euro Contract Awarded to Prešov Firm

A government villa located in the Tatra Mountains has been covered with scaffolding as renovation work begins under a million-euro contract awarded to a company from Prešov. The facility, which features amenities including a hot tub and sauna, is not accessible to the public. The renovation represents a significant investment in government property located in Slovakia's premier mountain region, though details about the scope of work and timeline have not been disclosed.

Korzár
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Domestic Politics

Luxury Rural House Near Nitra Hosted Few Guests, Records Show Sister of Owner Among First Visitors

Documents obtained by investigators from the Public Procurement Agency reveal details about the operations of the Malanta Rural House, a luxury accommodation facility near Nitra. The first guest at the expensive property was the sister of the owner, who traveled from a neighboring village and paid 1,000 euros for a two-night stay. The facility, which charged hundreds of euros per night, attracted few visitors overall, with most guests coming from the local area rather than tourists from further afield. Financial records also show the owner transferred money to individuals including someone named Bonul. The Public Procurement Agency's investigation into the facility suggests potential irregularities in its operations or funding, though the documents provide limited details about the broader scope of the probe.

Dennik N
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Opposition Leader Faces Pressure to Distance Himself from Family Business Scandal

Michal Šimečka, leader of the Progressive Slovakia (PS) opposition party, faces mounting pressure to decisively separate himself from the Project Forum scandal involving his family. The controversy centers on a business venture connected to Šimečka's relatives, which has become a target for political attacks. Prime Minister Robert Fico's ruling Smer-SD party has been exploiting the family connection to undermine Šimečka's credibility, with critics suggesting the attacks would continue regardless of the opposition leader's personal conduct or integrity. Progressive Slovakia, a liberal pro-European party, represents the main opposition to Fico's populist government, making Šimečka a prime target for political warfare as Slovakia's polarized political climate intensifies.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Government Coalition Faces Criticism Over Language Police Fine

Slovakia's ruling coalition is drawing sharp criticism after language authorities issued a fine to a small business operator, with critics warning this could set a dangerous precedent for enforcement of Slovak language laws. The incident involved a penalty against a langos vendor, prompting concerns that similar fines could target anyone making minor language errors, such as spelling mistakes or punctuation problems. The controversy highlights growing tensions over Slovakia's language policies and their implementation, with opponents describing the enforcement as overly harsh and potentially discriminatory against small businesses and individuals who make common linguistic errors.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Opposition Party Criticizes Transport Ministry's €39 Million Tender After Procurement Office Orders Bidder Reinstatement

The opposition Freedom and Solidarity party (SaS) has criticized a €39 million public tender organized by Slovakia's Transport Ministry after the Public Procurement Office ordered the reinstatement of a bidder who had been excluded from the competition. According to SaS representative Báthory, this case represents another example of systemic failures in Slovakia's public procurement system rather than an isolated incident. The Public Procurement Office, which oversees government contracting processes, intervened to reverse the ministry's decision to exclude the participant from the bidding process, though specific details about the nature of the tender or the reasons for the original exclusion were not disclosed.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Opposition Accuses Government of Targeting Small Businesses While Failing to Cut Own Spending

Slovakia's opposition parties have criticized the ruling government for what they describe as harassment of small entrepreneurs while refusing to reduce its own expenditures. The opposition claims that coalition representatives lack understanding of how to stimulate the country's economy. The criticism reflects growing tensions over the government's economic policies and fiscal management approach, with opposition parties arguing that the burden of economic measures is being unfairly placed on small business owners rather than addressing government spending inefficiencies.

SME
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