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Domestic Politics

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Domestic Politics

Constitutional Court Challenge Expected if Parliament Abolishes Postal Voting

Slovakia's parliament faces potential constitutional challenges if it proceeds with legislation to eliminate postal voting rights. Legal experts warn that abolishing postal voting would constitute a criminal violation of the National Council's constitutional obligations. Any law removing the right to vote by mail would be immediately vulnerable to challenge at the Constitutional Court, Slovakia's highest authority on constitutional matters, which reviews the legality of parliamentary legislation.

Dennik N
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Interior Minister Rejects Discussion on Beneš Decrees as Opposition Calls for End to Property Confiscations

Slovak Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok has declared the Beneš Decrees untouchable, rejecting calls for discussion about the controversial post-World War II legislation. The decrees, issued by Czechoslovak President Edvard Beneš in 1945-46, led to the expulsion of ethnic Germans and Hungarians and the confiscation of their property. Opposition politician Ivan Korčok has criticized current practices by the state land fund regarding property confiscations and promised that his Progressive Slovakia party would work to halt such actions. The debate highlights ongoing tensions over historical injustices and property rights in Slovakia, with the ruling coalition defending the decrees while the opposition seeks to address their continuing impact on property disputes.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Opposition leader criticizes parties for planning separate election campaigns

Michal Šimečka, leader of the liberal Progressive Slovakia party, criticized two opposition parties for planning to run independently in upcoming elections rather than forming a coalition. Šimečka called it "irresponsible" that the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) and Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) intend to campaign separately. Recent polling shows SaS with 7.3 percent support while KDH hovers near the 5 percent threshold needed to enter parliament with 5.3 percent. Slovakia's fragmented opposition has struggled to present a unified challenge to the ruling coalition led by Robert Fico's Smer-SD party, and calls for opposition cooperation have intensified as parties risk splitting the anti-government vote.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Progressive Slovakia Leader Outlines Three Key Campaign Themes for Next Parliamentary Elections

Michal Šimečka, leader of Progressive Slovakia, announced that his opposition party will focus on three key themes in the upcoming parliamentary elections. The party chief also revealed that Progressive Slovakia is in discussions with multiple opposition parties about potential cooperation. Progressive Slovakia, a liberal pro-European party, is currently part of Slovakia's parliamentary opposition following the 2023 elections that brought Robert Fico's Smer-SD back to power in a coalition government.

TASR/Teraz
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Domestic Politics

Three Charged After Police Officers and Gendarme Injured in Eastern Slovakia Attack

Police have charged three individuals following an attack that injured a police officer and a gendarme during a domestic dispute intervention in Ostrovany, eastern Slovakia. The incident occurred when officers responded to a family conflict in the village. Slovak police operate alongside gendarmes, who are part of the military police force responsible for maintaining public order and supporting civilian police operations. The charges against the three suspects relate to the assault on the law enforcement officers during their intervention.

Korzár
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Domestic Politics

Police charge three people with assaulting officers during intervention in Ostrovany

Slovak police have filed charges against three individuals for assaulting public officials following an attack on law enforcement officers in the village of Ostrovany. The incident occurred during evening hours when police officers and members of the Gendarmerie Corps were responding to a family conflict between residents of a local settlement. During the intervention, both a gendarme and a police officer sustained injuries. The charges relate to the assault on public officials, a serious criminal offense under Slovak law that carries significant penalties when committed against law enforcement personnel performing their duties.

TASR/TerazKorzár
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Parliament to Resume Session Tuesday, Including Vote on Foreign Candidate

Slovakia's National Council, the country's parliament, will continue its session starting Tuesday with several unfinished items on the agenda, including a vote on a candidate from abroad. Two laws that were vetoed by President Peter Pellegrini also remain pending for discussion. The parliamentary session had been previously interrupted, leaving these legislative matters unresolved. President Pellegrini, who took office in June 2024, has used his constitutional power to return legislation to parliament for reconsideration, requiring lawmakers to either override his vetoes or amend the proposed laws.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Parliament to Address Local Government Term Extensions and Foreign Residency Law Reforms

Slovakia's National Council, the country's parliament, is returning to session with a packed agenda including key legislative debates on foreign residency regulations and local government reforms. Lawmakers will consider proposed changes to residency laws for foreign nationals and examine measures related to extending the terms of local self-government officials. The parliamentary session will also address legislation concerning overseas voting procedures and review COVID-19 presidential amnesties issued by President Peter Pellegrini. These legislative priorities reflect ongoing efforts to modernize Slovakia's administrative and electoral systems while addressing post-pandemic policy adjustments.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Court Convicts Zsuzsová, Acquits Kočner in Murder Case Split Verdict

The Specialized Criminal Court in Pezinok delivered a controversial split verdict in a high-profile murder case, convicting Alena Zsuzsová while acquitting Marián Kočner. The three-judge panel was deeply divided, with the presiding judge and one colleague accepting the argument that Zsuzsová acted independently, while dissenting judge Jozef Pikna highlighted the financial and personal connections between Zsuzsová and Kočner in his minority opinion. The case involves the murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová in 2018, which shocked Slovakia and led to mass protests that brought down the government. Kočner, a controversial businessman, was previously suspected of ordering the killings due to Kuciak's reporting on his business dealings, while Zsuzsová was accused of acting as an intermediary in arranging the murders.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Affairs Not Expected to Be Magyar's Cup of Tea

Slovakia is not expected to be a comfortable fit for Magyar's interests or approach, according to recent analysis. The assessment suggests potential challenges or misalignment between Magyar's priorities and Slovak political or policy matters. This development comes amid ongoing discussions about various political figures' relationships with Slovak domestic affairs and their potential influence on the country's direction.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Prime Minister Fico Rejects Opposition Claims on Illegal Migration

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico dismissed claims made by opposition politician Péter Magyar regarding illegal migration as false. In a video statement, Fico also defended President Peter Pellegrini, arguing that the president faces attacks because he maintains a non-partisan stance and does not serve opposition interests. Fico leads the ruling Smer-SD party, while Pellegrini, who previously served as prime minister from the same party, now holds the largely ceremonial presidency that requires political neutrality under Slovak law.

TASR/Teraz
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Culture Minister to Appear at Media Future Event Alongside Disinformation Publishers

Slovak Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová will participate in a media industry conference that includes controversial figures from outlets accused of spreading disinformation. The event will feature discussions about the future direction of Slovak media and debates about whether Slovakia belongs to the West or East. The participation of government officials alongside publishers from media organizations known for spreading false information has raised concerns about the government's stance on media credibility and information quality. Šimkovičová, who represents the ruling coalition, has previously faced criticism for her positions on cultural and media policies since taking office.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Additional witnesses to testify in case against former Slovak police chief Peter Kovařík

More witnesses are scheduled to testify in the ongoing criminal case against Peter Kovařík, former head of Slovakia's national police force. The next main hearing in the proceedings is scheduled for April 24. Kovařík, who served as police president until his dismissal in 2022, faces charges related to his tenure leading the country's law enforcement apparatus. The case represents one of several high-profile prosecutions targeting former senior officials in Slovakia's security and law enforcement institutions.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Regional Governments Lack Funds for Critical Bridge Repairs

Regional governments in Slovakia are struggling with inadequate funding to repair bridges in deteriorating condition, highlighting broader infrastructure failures by successive national governments. The poor state of bridges has joined missing highway connections as a symbol of Slovakia's chronic infrastructure problems. Regional authorities, known as župy, lack sufficient financial resources to address the mounting repair needs across the country's bridge network.

Korzár
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Domestic Politics

Matovič Announces Support for Prešov Regional Candidate

Igor Matovič, leader of the OĽaNO party, has clarified his support for candidates running for the position of Prešov regional governor. Matovič indicated he has made his decision regarding which candidate to back in what he described as "an interesting contest." The race appears to involve candidates named Majerský and Mazurek, though Matovič did not specify which candidate has received his endorsement. Regional governor elections in Slovakia are significant as these officials oversee self-governing regions that manage healthcare, education, and infrastructure at the regional level.

Korzár
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Domestic Politics

Far-right leader Uhrík does not rule out coalition with Fico, Matovič criticizes about-face

Milan Uhrík, leader of the far-right Republic party, has indicated he would not exclude joining a government coalition with Robert Fico's Smer-SD party. The statement drew criticism from Igor Matovič, leader of the opposition Slovakia Movement party, who pointed out that Uhrík had previously labeled Smer as a "mafia party that is destroying Slovakia." Matovič's response highlighted the apparent contradiction in Uhrík's position toward the ruling social-democratic party. The exchange reflects ongoing tensions in Slovak politics as parties position themselves ahead of future electoral contests, with Uhrík's potential openness to cooperation with the current ruling party marking a notable shift from his previous harsh criticism of Fico's government.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Uhrík Rules Out Post-Election Cooperation Only With Progressive Slovakia

Rudolf Uhrík, leader of the far-right Republika party, stated during political discussions that he would exclude only Progressive Slovakia from potential post-election cooperation. The remarks came during televised political debates being monitored in real-time. Republika, which promotes nationalist and anti-establishment positions, has been positioning itself ahead of future elections. Progressive Slovakia is a liberal pro-European party that sits in opposition to the current government led by Robert Fico's Smer-SD. Uhrík's selective exclusion suggests Republika remains open to cooperation with other political forces, including potentially the ruling coalition parties.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Police Operation in Eastern Slovakia Ends with Officers Attacked and Soldier Hospitalized

A police operation in the village of Ostrovany in eastern Slovakia's Sabinov district escalated dramatically on Friday evening after officers arrived at the scene. The intervention resulted in attacks on police officers and required the hospitalization of a soldier. The incident occurred in what appears to be a Roma settlement, as the Slovak term 'osada' typically refers to marginalized Roma communities that often lack basic infrastructure and face significant social challenges. Such communities in eastern Slovakia have previously been sites of tension between residents and law enforcement. No further details about the nature of the original police operation or the circumstances that led to the violence have been disclosed.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

SNS Proposes Higher Social Insurance Exemptions for Students, Pensioners and Parents

The Slovak National Party (SNS), a member of the ruling coalition, has proposed increasing social insurance contribution exemptions for students, pensioners, and for the first time, parents. The proposal aims to provide practical financial relief to these groups by reducing their mandatory social insurance payments. According to SNS chairman Andrej Danko, the measure represents a concrete response to the daily financial realities faced by Slovak families. The party suggests that parents could see the most significant impact from these proposed changes, though specific details about the exemption amounts or implementation timeline have not been disclosed.

SMETASR/Teraz
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Domestic Politics

Slovak National Party proposes expanded tax relief for students, pensioners and parents

The Slovak National Party (SNS) has proposed increasing tax contribution relief for students and pensioners while introducing new benefits for parents. SNS, a nationalist party that is part of Slovakia's ruling coalition government, says the changes would have the most significant impact on parents. The proposal represents an expansion of existing tax relief policies that currently benefit students working part-time and pensioners who continue to work. Slovakia's current system allows reduced social security contributions for certain categories of workers, and the SNS proposal would broaden these exemptions to include parents, potentially reducing their tax burden while they balance work and family responsibilities.

SME
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