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Domestic Politics

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Domestic Politics

Former Slovak Mayor Convicted of Bitcoin Corruption Scheme Had Run for Reelection

A former mayor of a small village in eastern Slovakia was convicted of corruption on Wednesday for soliciting bitcoin payments and accepting tens of thousands of euros in bribes. The court found the ex-mayor guilty of the corruption charges, though the verdict is not yet final and can still be appealed. Despite facing the criminal proceedings, the former official had run as a candidate in recent local elections, highlighting ongoing concerns about accountability in Slovak municipal politics.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Regional Government Faces Higher Legal Costs Than Expected Tender Penalty

A Slovak regional government has spent thousands of euros on legal fees defending a flawed tender process, potentially exceeding the cost of the original penalty it sought to avoid. The Košice Self-Governing Region hired lawyers to challenge sanctions imposed over a poorly managed public procurement, but the legal expenses may ultimately prove more expensive than simply accepting the initial fine. The final financial loss from the legal strategy could be even higher than currently calculated, raising questions about the cost-effectiveness of the region's approach to handling procurement violations.

Korzár
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Domestic Politics

Progressive Slovakia Leader Šimečka to Remain in Position Despite Party Funding Controversy

Michal Šimečka, leader of Progressive Slovakia, announced he will not resign from his position amid a controversy involving his party's funding practices. The dispute centers on payments made to a non-governmental organization led by Šimečka's mother, with critics suggesting potential conflicts of interest. Šimečka's mother has agreed to accept responsibility for her role as the organization's statutory representative in the matter. Deputy Prime Minister Peter Gašpar commented on the situation, describing it as an attempt to shift blame onto others. Progressive Slovakia is a liberal opposition party that has been critical of the current government led by Robert Fico's Smer-SD party.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Court Rules Assassination Attempt on Prime Minister Was Premeditated Murder Plot

A Slovak court has ruled that the May 2024 shooting of Prime Minister Robert Fico constituted a premeditated assassination attempt. The court determined that gunman Juraj Cintula had planned to murder the prime minister, closing the high-profile case that shocked the country. However, the ruling also indicated that Fico, who leads the ruling Smer-SD party, had made false statements about one aspect of the incident. The assassination attempt occurred in May when Cintula shot Fico multiple times outside a government meeting in the town of Handlová, seriously wounding the prime minister and forcing him to undergo emergency surgery. The attack marked one of the most serious incidents of political violence in Slovakia's recent history and raised concerns about the country's polarized political climate.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Intelligence Chief Accuses Former PM Ódor of Spreading False Migrant Information

Pavol Gašpar, head of Slovakia's intelligence service SIS, accused former interim Prime Minister Ľudovít Ódor of lying about migrant data following a parliamentary committee meeting. Gašpar claimed that SIS never provided Ódor with the type of information about migrant transportation that the former premier had publicly presented. The dispute centers on statements Ódor made regarding the handling of migrants during his brief tenure as interim prime minister in 2023, when he led a technocratic government between the fall of Igor Matovič's administration and Robert Fico's return to power. Opposition members unsuccessfully requested to hear testimony from additional officials during the committee session, suggesting ongoing political tensions over the migrant issue and intelligence matters.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Slovakia's Ruling Coalition Faces Key Decision on New Intelligence Chief

Slovakia's ruling coalition has yet to reach agreement on who will lead the National Security Bureau (NBÚ), the country's domestic intelligence agency, with current director Michal Konečný's mandate expiring in less than a month. The National Security Bureau serves as Slovakia's primary domestic intelligence service, responsible for counterintelligence and national security matters. The selection of a new intelligence chief represents a significant decision for the coalition government, as the position oversees sensitive national security operations and requires parliamentary approval.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Opposition Questions Government's Law Enforcement Appointments

Critics are raising concerns about potential appointments to key law enforcement positions in Slovakia's government. Opposition voices are questioning whether Justice Minister Boris Susko should oversee the re-establishment of the Special Prosecutor's Office, and whether Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok should lead the National Criminal Agency. The debate also involves speculation about roles for former police officials Tibor Gašpar and Marek Para, as well as discussions about Dávid Lindtner's potential involvement in law enforcement leadership. The controversy centers on Slovakia's ongoing restructuring of its prosecutorial and criminal investigation agencies, with critics expressing doubts about the government's choices for these sensitive positions that handle major criminal cases and anti-corruption efforts.

Dennik N
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Domestic Politics

Slovakia's Ombudsman Challenges Košice City Law at Constitutional Court

Róbert Dobrovodský, Slovakia's public defender of rights, will challenge the recently passed law on the city of Košice at the Constitutional Court. The ombudsman has informed both the National Council, Slovakia's parliament, and the president of his intention to contest the legislation. The ombudsman cited two main reasons for the legal challenge, though specific details of his objections were not immediately disclosed. The Constitutional Court serves as Slovakia's highest authority on constitutional matters and has the power to overturn laws that violate the country's constitution.

AktualityKorzár
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Domestic Politics

Constitutional Court Expert Criticizes Parliament Debate on Postal Voting Ban as Filled with False Claims

A constitutional law expert has strongly criticized the parliamentary debate over abolishing postal voting in Slovakia, describing it as being overwhelmed with lies, fabrications, and the criminalization of citizens. The expert suggested that Slovakia may eventually need a Constitutional Court ruling that finds a law unconstitutional not only on legal grounds, but also due to false and misleading information being presented in the law's explanatory materials and during parliamentary justification of the proposed legislation. The criticism comes as Slovakia's parliament debates eliminating postal voting, a method that allows citizens to cast ballots by mail rather than appearing in person at polling stations.

Dennik N
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Domestic Politics

Gašpar's Regional Election Candidacy Depends on Agreement with Becík

The candidacy of a political figure named Gašpar in upcoming regional elections hinges on reaching an agreement with another politician, Becík. However, the primary focus remains on securing a unified coalition candidate for the race. The development suggests ongoing negotiations within Slovakia's political parties as they prepare their strategies for regional-level elections, though the specific details of the potential agreement and the timeline for these elections were not specified.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Ladislav Gála announces candidacy for mayor of Myjava

Ladislav Gála has announced his candidacy for mayor of Myjava, a town in western Slovakia. Gála stated that his primary objectives are to advance the city's development and halt the exodus of young people from the area. The announcement comes ahead of municipal elections, as local communities across Slovakia prepare to select new leadership for their towns and cities.

TASR/Teraz
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Financial Administration Shuts Down Secret Cigarette Factory in Operation Timer

Slovak authorities dismantled an illegal cigarette manufacturing operation that caused more than two million euros in state losses, resulting in the arrest of 20 people. The Financial Administration, Slovakia's tax collection agency responsible for combating tax evasion and smuggling, conducted Operation Timer which uncovered a clandestine factory producing untaxed cigarettes. During the raid, investigators seized sophisticated equipment including signal jammers and surveillance cameras, indicating the operation's extensive security measures to avoid detection. The illegal cigarette production represents a significant form of tax evasion that costs the Slovak state millions in lost tobacco tax revenue annually.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Parliament Deputy Chair Considers Run for Regional Governor

Erik Gašpar, deputy chairman of Slovakia's parliament, has not ruled out running for governor of the Nitra region. Gašpar, a member of the ruling Smer-SD party, explained that despite holding his current position in the National Council, Slovakia's parliament, it remains important to advance the social-democratic party's policies at the regional level through such candidacies. The statement suggests Smer-SD is considering strategic positioning in upcoming regional elections to strengthen its influence beyond the national government.

TASR/Teraz
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Domestic Politics

Opposition Calls for Government Intervention in Agriculture Sector

The Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), a center-right opposition party, has called on Prime Minister Robert Fico to intervene in Slovakia's agriculture sector. The party accused the government of arrogance and incompetence, claiming these failings are endangering the country's agricultural industry. KDH specifically urged Fico to take action regarding the agriculture ministry's handling of sector issues.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Sulík Leaves SaS Party, Plans to Run in Next Election with Bittó Cigániková

Richard Sulík has left SaS (Freedom and Solidarity), the liberal opposition party he founded and led for over a decade. Sulík announced he will run in the next parliamentary election alongside Jana Bittó Cigániková, a current SaS member of parliament. The pair are considering several options for their political future, including potentially joining Sme Rodina (We Are Family), the populist party led by Boris Kollár that is part of the current ruling coalition. Sulík's departure marks a significant shift in Slovakia's opposition landscape, as he has been a prominent figure in liberal politics since founding SaS in 2009 and serving as economy minister from 2010 to 2012.

SMEAktuality
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Domestic Politics

Murder of Róbert Remiáš from 30 years ago remains unprosecuted

Slovak authorities have confirmed that the 30-year-old murder case of Róbert Remiáš has not reached the statute of limitations and remains open for prosecution. Remiáš was a friend and contact of Oskar Fegyver, a former member of the Slovak Information Service, the country's intelligence agency. The case dates back to the early 1990s during Slovakia's transition period following the fall of communism, when the country was establishing its new security and intelligence apparatus. The confirmation that the murder case remains legally viable suggests ongoing interest in resolving crimes from this turbulent period in Slovak history.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Former Slovak MP Ján Kerekréti Dies at Age 82

Former Slovak parliamentarian Ján Kerekréti has died at the age of 82. Kerekréti served as a member of the parliamentary group of OĽANO (Ordinary People and Independent Personalities), an anti-corruption political party that was part of the ruling coalition from 2020 to 2023. His death was announced by Hnutie Slovensko (Slovakia Movement), a political party led by Igor Matovič that emerged from a split within OĽANO in 2023.

SMEAktuality
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Domestic Politics

Poll Shows Two-Thirds of Slovaks Want Fewer Parties in Parliament Amid Electoral Reform Debate

A new public opinion survey reveals that two-thirds of Slovakia's population believes there are too many political parties represented in parliament, as the country debates potential electoral reforms. The poll found that the most preferred electoral system would assign one parliamentary representative to each of Slovakia's districts, creating a more direct connection between voters and their elected officials. However, public opinion remains divided on eliminating postal voting from abroad, with only 40 percent of respondents supporting the measure. The survey comes amid broader discussions about reforming Slovakia's electoral system, with this year's Hungarian elections serving as a notable example of how electoral rules can significantly influence both election outcomes and the margin of victory for winning parties.

Dennik N
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Domestic Politics

Slovakia Marks 30th Anniversary of Unsolved Car Bomb Murder That Symbolized Political Crisis

Slovakia marked the 30th anniversary of the car bomb assassination of Róbert Remiáš, killed on April 29, 1996, in what became a symbol of the country's turbulent 1990s. Remiáš served as a liaison for a key witness in the case involving the kidnapping abroad of the son of then-President Michal Kováč, a case that highlighted the political chaos of the era. The murder occurred during the height of what critics called "Mečiarism," referring to the authoritarian tendencies of Prime Minister Vladimír Mečiar, whose governments in the 1990s were marked by political instability, alleged connections to organized crime, and conflicts with democratic institutions. Investigators linked the assassination to both organized crime networks and the former head of the Slovak Intelligence Service (SIS), but despite the high-profile nature of the case, no one was ever prosecuted for the murder. The Remiáš assassination remains one of Slovakia's most notorious unsolved crimes from a period when the country struggled with the rule of law and democratic governance in its early years of independence.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Supreme Court to Review Case of Prime Minister Assassination Attempt

Slovakia's Supreme Court will examine the case of the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico on Wednesday. The Supreme Court, the country's highest judicial authority, is reviewing the legal classification of charges against Juraj C., the alleged gunman. There was no doubt that Juraj C. committed the act, but the disputed issue concerns the proper legal qualification of his actions under Slovak law. The case stems from the May 2024 shooting of Fico in Handlová, which left the prime minister hospitalized with serious injuries and shocked the nation during a period of intense political polarization.

TASR/Teraz
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