Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
♥ Support DávkaNewsletter
Last refreshed: 30/06/2026 17:41 · 82 articles added
Stories are refreshed at 05:30, 10:30, 15:30, and 21:30 UTC.

Domestic Politics

View all2831 stories
Domestic Politics

Slovak Weekly Review: Election Campaign Dominates May Day, Media Forum Project Under Scrutiny

Slovak political attention has shifted heavily toward pre-election campaigning, overshadowing traditional May Day observances and raising questions about where the holiday's significance has gone. Meanwhile, a project called Forum is facing scrutiny as a test case for media organization Fico, suggesting potential concerns about editorial independence or political influence. Separately, disinformation websites have reportedly received funding from state sources, highlighting ongoing concerns about government resources potentially being used to support problematic media outlets that spread false information.

Dennik N
|
Domestic Politics

Rural mayors oppose government reform proposal, claim it threatens village futures

Village mayors across Slovakia are voicing opposition to a proposed government reform, arguing that the changes would undermine the future prospects of rural communities. Local officials say they are being excluded from the decision-making process despite the significant impact the reform would have on their municipalities. The controversy highlights tensions between central government planning and local governance, as rural leaders push back against what they perceive as top-down policies that fail to consider the specific needs and circumstances of smaller communities.

Korzár
|
Domestic Politics

Small Town Mayor Warns Against Municipal Consolidation Plans

The mayor of a small Slovak municipality has criticized proposed municipal consolidation reforms, warning that artificial mergers would destroy rural communities. The mayor stated that while officials in Bratislava may dismiss small towns, eliminating rural municipalities would leave urban areas without food sources. The warning comes amid ongoing discussions about reforming Slovakia's municipal structure, which includes hundreds of small communities across the country.

Korzár
|
Domestic Politics

Slovak Foreign Minister Escalates Dispute with President Over NATO Summit

Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár has intensified his public disagreement with President Peter Pellegrini, dismissing the NATO summit as "not a meeting of reserves with shoulder stripes" in a pointed message directed at the president. Blanár characterized Pellegrini as stubborn in the ongoing dispute between the two officials. The conflict highlights tensions within Slovakia's leadership over foreign policy matters, with the foreign minister and president holding different positions on NATO-related issues. This public spat reflects broader divisions within Slovak politics regarding the country's international commitments and diplomatic approach.

SME
|
Domestic Politics

Slovak Coalition Party Pushes for Same-Day Voting and Online System for Overseas Citizens

The Slovak National Party (SNS) is advocating for overseas Slovak citizens to vote on the same day as domestic voters, along with implementing online voting systems for expatriate citizens. SNS leader Andrej Danko maintains that Slovaks living abroad must cast their ballots on the same day as voters within Slovakia. Opposition parties have criticized the proposal, characterizing it as voter intimidation and an attempt to restrict voting rights. The debate highlights ongoing tensions over electoral reforms affecting the estimated hundreds of thousands of Slovak citizens living abroad, who currently have different voting procedures than domestic voters.

Aktuality
|
Domestic Politics

Slovak Police Seize Drugs, Weapons and Explosives in Anti-Drug Operation PULEC

Slovak police conducted a major anti-drug operation called PULEC, seizing drugs, weapons and explosives in raids in Trnava and Zvončín. The operation targeted suspected drug trafficking networks in these western Slovak locations. If convicted, the suspects face prison sentences ranging from seven to fifteen years under Slovak law for drug-related offenses involving weapons and explosives.

Aktuality
|
Domestic Politics

Six Members of 'Medellin' Drug Gang Ordered Into Custody Following Slovak Police Operation

A Slovak court ordered six suspects into custody following a major anti-drug operation targeting an organized criminal group known as "Medellin." The judge confirmed the validity of the prosecution's case against the defendants, who are accused of participating in organized crime activities. The operation appears to be part of a broader police investigation into an extensive drug trafficking network operating in Slovakia. The case represents a significant development in Slovak law enforcement's efforts to combat organized crime and drug trafficking within the country.

Aktuality
|
Domestic Politics

Slovakia's Ruling Coalition Divided Over Future of Universal 13th Pensions

Slovakia's ruling coalition faces internal division over the future of universal 13th pensions, with Interior Minister Tibor Gašpar of Smer-SD raising the possibility of targeting the payments to specific groups rather than providing them to all retirees. Gašpar's comments represent a departure from the position of Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has previously rejected any changes to the universal pension system. The proposal has drawn criticism from coalition partner Hlas-SD, with party leader Erik Tomáš accusing the government of breaking its promises to voters. The 13th pension is an additional annual payment introduced as a universal benefit for all Slovak retirees, making any discussion of means-testing or targeted distribution politically sensitive. The internal disagreement highlights tensions within Slovakia's ruling coalition, which is composed of Smer-SD, the populist social-democratic party led by Fico, and Hlas-SD, a center-left party that split from Smer in 2020.

Aktuality
|
Domestic Politics

Slovak Local Governments Prepare Legislation to Improve Administrative Efficiency

Local governments in Slovakia are developing new legislation aimed at making their operations more efficient. The initiative includes efforts to establish financial backing through European Union funding programs, as municipalities seek to modernize their administrative processes and secure sustainable financing for local governance improvements.

SME
|
Domestic Politics

Slovakia's Finance Minister Admits Fiscal Defeat as Opposition Leader Sulík Leaves Party

Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenický acknowledged a fiscal defeat this week as the government's budget consolidation efforts fell short of targets. The political landscape shifted when Richard Sulík, a prominent liberal politician, left his party Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), one of Slovakia's main opposition parties known for its free-market economic positions. Opposition parties engaged in disputes over referendum strategies, while media outlets faced increased pressure. The ruling Smer-SD party, led by Prime Minister Robert Fico's social-democratic coalition, recorded record spending levels, highlighting the government's fiscal challenges amid ongoing political tensions between the ruling coalition and opposition forces.

Aktuality
|
Domestic Politics

Judge Orders Detention for Gang Member in Case of Two Missing Men from Biskupice

A judge in Slovakia ordered the detention of Róbert Čorba, a former member of the Okoličány gang, in connection with the disappearance of two men from Podunajské Biskupice. The case, which began nine months ago, has taken a new turn with this judicial decision. Čorba now faces formal charges related to the missing persons case that has been under investigation since the two men vanished from the Bratislava suburb. The Okoličány gang is known as one of Slovakia's organized crime groups, and Čorba's detention represents a significant development in what had been a stalled investigation into the men's whereabouts.

Aktuality
|
Domestic Politics

Slovak Arts Fund Board Overrules Expert Panel, Awards Grants to Media Outlets Including Disinformation Sites

The board of Slovakia's Fund for the Support of the Arts overruled expert commission recommendations in more than half of media funding decisions, awarding grants to outlets accused of spreading disinformation while providing minimal or no support to established publications. The controversial allocations included 40,000 euros to an association operating Hlavný denník, 25,000 euros for "content expansion" at Hlavné správy, and 20,000 euros to a publisher suspected of conflicts of interest. In response to the board's decisions, established magazines Kapitál, Bublina, and 34 announced they would reject any funding offered to them. Commission member Šikulová criticized the board for "massacring" the expert panel's recommendations, highlighting tensions over state funding of media in Slovakia where concerns about press freedom and media independence have grown under the current government.

Dennik N
|
Domestic Politics

Czech Prime Minister Babiš Criticizes Slovak Coalition Partner's Communication Style

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has publicly criticized the Motorists party over their communication style, specifically targeting statements made by Filip Turek. Babiš warned that the party's approach is damaging the entire government and reminded them of their governmental responsibilities. The Motorists party is part of Slovakia's ruling coalition government. Despite the criticism, Babiš claimed that the coalition is functioning better than it did previously, suggesting ongoing tensions within the government partnership over public messaging and party conduct.

Aktuality
|
Domestic Politics

Defense Project Faces Collapse Risk, Former Minister Warns

A major defense project championed by Prime Minister Robert Fico and Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák faces potential collapse, according to former Defense Minister Jaroslav Naď. Naď warned that Slovakia could face a scenario it has experienced before - an unfinished project that consumes massive public resources without delivering adequate results. The criticism comes as questions mount over the project's viability and the government's ability to deliver on its promises. Fico leads the ruling Smer-SD party, while Kaliňák has returned to his previous role as defense minister in the current government coalition.

Aktuality
|
Domestic Politics

Former Defense Minister Criticizes Government's Major Project as Potential Financial Disaster

Former Defense Minister Jaroslav Naď has issued a sharp critique of what he describes as the deteriorating public showcase project of Prime Minister Robert Fico and Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok. Naď warned that Slovakia faces a worst-case scenario it has experienced before: an unfinished project that consumes massive public resources without delivering adequate results. The criticism comes as concerns mount over the management and viability of a major government initiative, though specific details of the project were not disclosed. Naď, who served as defense minister in the previous government led by Eduard Heger, represents the opposition's growing scrutiny of the current administration's handling of large-scale public investments and their potential waste of taxpayer funds.

Aktuality
|
Domestic Politics

Former Slovak MP and longtime mayor Ján Pataky dies at 70

Ján Pataky, a former member of the National Council of Slovakia and longtime mayor of Hertník village, has died at age 70. Pataky served as a deputy in Slovakia's parliament and was the mayor of Hertník, a village in the Bardejov district of northeastern Slovakia. His colleagues remembered his contributions to the development of both his local community and the broader Bardejov district, which is located in the Prešov region near the border with Poland.

AktualityTASR/TerazKorzár
|
Domestic Politics

Slovak Politicians Face Scrutiny Over Contradictory Statements

Several prominent Slovak political figures, including parliamentary speaker Andrej Danko, police president Ľubomír Solák, and interior minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok, made contradictory or misleading statements during a single week, according to a fact-checking analysis. The review examined public claims made by the officials across various issues. Danko serves as speaker of the National Council, Slovakia's parliament, and is a member of the Slovak National Party, while Šutaj Eštok represents Hlas-SD, a junior partner in the ruling coalition government led by Prime Minister Robert Fico's Smer-SD party.

Dennik N
|
Domestic Politics

Slovak woman convicted of terrorism for ISIS ties faces Supreme Court hearing

The Supreme Court will hear an appeal Wednesday in the case of Renáta D., a Slovak woman previously convicted of terrorism charges related to her marriage to an ISIS member. The Specialized Criminal Court, which handles terrorism and organized crime cases, had already found her guilty and sentenced her to two years in prison with conditional suspension. The Supreme Court will now review the lower court's decision in this terrorism case.

Aktuality
|
Domestic Politics

Activist Faces Restraining Order Lawsuit from High Tatras Mayor

The mayor of Vysoké Tatry, Jozef Štefaňák, has filed a lawsuit seeking a court-ordered restraining order against activist Peter Dzurilla, requesting that he be banned from coming within 100 meters of the mayor. The legal action represents an escalation in tensions between the municipal leader and the activist, with Štefaňák alleging that Dzurilla's actions constitute harassment requiring judicial intervention. Vysoké Tatry is a mountain resort municipality in northern Slovakia that encompasses several towns in the popular tourist region of the High Tatras mountains.

Aktuality
|
Domestic Politics

Opposition Leaders Call for Unity Against Fico's 'Mafia Methods'

Prominent Slovak opposition figures and journalists called for democratic unity during a panel discussion in Bratislava, describing Prime Minister Robert Fico's governance style as employing "mafia methods." The participants included opposition politician Marián Leško, Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Šimečka, journalist Matúš Kostolný, and Czech journalist Erik Tabery in a debate titled "How to Save Democracy" held at the DPOH cultural center. The speakers emphasized that Slovakia's democratic opposition depends on every single vote and that unifying the democratic camp is essential for countering the current government's approach. Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok was specifically criticized as the "king of bungling," reflecting broader concerns about the competence and methods of Fico's fourth government. The discussion comes as Slovakia's political landscape remains deeply polarized between Fico's ruling Smer-SD party, which has governed since 2023, and opposition forces warning about threats to democratic institutions and rule of law.

Dennik N
|