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Domestic Politics

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Domestic Politics

Slovak Parliament Resumes Session with Record 230 Agenda Items as Coalition Faces Budget Pressures

Slovakia's National Council, the country's parliament, resumed its session after a month-long break with more than 230 items on its agenda, marking a record for the current governing coalition. While opposition parties contributed numerous proposals to inflate the total, ruling coalition members have also submitted bills that could require tens to hundreds of millions of euros from the state budget. The legislative session highlights growing fiscal pressures on the government led by Prime Minister Robert Fico's coalition, which includes the social-democratic Smer-SD party, the centrist Hlas party, and the nationalist SNS party. Members of SNS and, to a lesser extent, Hlas have been particularly active in proposing measures that would demand significant public spending, raising questions about budget discipline as Slovakia faces economic challenges.

Dennik N
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Domestic Politics

Former Slovak Military Intelligence Chief Selling Luxury Chalet for Millions

Ján Balciar, former director of Slovakia's Military Intelligence service, is selling a luxury chalet for millions of euros, according to a newly published advertisement. The property was originally part of a Defense Ministry complex that was acquired years ago by an individual with alleged mafia connections for just a few thousand euros, before being sold to Balciar. Military Intelligence is Slovakia's primary military intelligence agency, responsible for gathering foreign intelligence and counterintelligence operations. The case highlights ongoing concerns about questionable property transfers involving former state assets and individuals connected to organized crime networks in Slovakia.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Parliament Speaker Boris Kollár Announces Appeal in Dispute with Čurilllo, Payment of €50,000 Still Uncertain

Boris Kollár, Speaker of Slovakia's National Council parliament, announced he will file an appeal in a legal dispute with someone named Čurillo following a court ruling. The written verdict has been finalized and Kollár has been given a ten-day deadline, though he has not yet indicated whether he will pay the €50,000 amount specified in the case. Kollár leads the We Are Family party, a populist movement that is part of Slovakia's ruling coalition government. The nature of the dispute and the specific circumstances that led to the potential €50,000 payment have not been detailed, but the case appears to involve a civil matter requiring financial compensation.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Political Dispute Emerges Between Former Hlas Party Members Over Conflict Involving Mazurek and Didik

A political conflict has erupted involving former members of the Hlas party, with tensions centering around a dispute between Mazurek and Didik that has drawn in additional political figures including Majerský and Vaľová. The disagreement has led to Ferenčák distancing himself from his former Hlas colleagues, suggesting internal divisions within what was once a unified political group. Hlas is a center-left party that split from the ruling Smer-SD party in 2020 and currently serves as part of Slovakia's governing coalition. The nature of the specific conflict and its potential impact on the party's cohesion and the broader coalition government remains unclear, but the public airing of internal disputes indicates growing tensions within the political grouping.

Korzár
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Domestic Politics

Voice Party MP Distances Himself from Former Colleagues Amid Internal Conflict

A conflict has emerged within Slovakia's Voice party involving several prominent figures, including MPs Mazurek and Didik, with the dispute drawing in additional party member Majerský. The internal disagreement has prompted Voice MP Ferenčák to distance himself from his former party colleagues, signaling potential fractures within the centrist party that is part of Slovakia's ruling coalition. The conflict has also involved Vaľová, who has joined the defense of one side in the dispute, highlighting growing tensions within the party that could affect the stability of the governing alliance.

Korzár
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Domestic Politics

Prešov Region Governor Rejects Wind Farms, Citing Local Opposition

Milan Trnka, governor of the Prešov Region in eastern Slovakia, declared that wind farms are a "no go zone" in his region, stating that his administration will not proceed against the will of local people. Trnka made the announcement during a visit to the Zemplín area, where local municipalities have expressed opposition to wind turbine installations. The Prešov Region, which encompasses much of eastern Slovakia including areas around Košice, has become a focal point in Slovakia's renewable energy development debates as the country seeks to meet European Union climate targets while balancing local community concerns.

Korzár
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Domestic Politics

119 Slovak municipalities join digital territorial planning initiative

One hundred and nineteen Slovak municipalities have joined a government initiative to develop digital territorial plans. The Ministry of Transport and Construction has allocated 1.2 million euros for the processing of territorial planning documentation. The digital planning system represents a modernization effort aimed at streamlining urban development processes across Slovakia's local governments, replacing traditional paper-based planning methods with electronic systems that can improve efficiency and accessibility for both officials and citizens.

TASR/Teraz
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Domestic Politics

Progressive Slovakia Opposes Minister's Plan to Expand Priority Districts List

Progressive Slovakia has rejected a government proposal to expand the list of priority districts eligible for special development support. Marek Lackovič, a member of the National Council's Committee for Public Administration and Regional Development, warned that funding for existing priority districts is already inadequate. The opposition party argues that adding more districts to the program would further dilute the limited resources available for regional development initiatives. Priority districts in Slovakia are designated areas that receive additional state funding and investment incentives to address economic disadvantages and unemployment.

TASR/Teraz
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Domestic Politics

Defense Ministry Cancels Military Podcast with Slovak President Amid Government-Presidential Tensions

Slovakia's Defense Ministry has canceled a scheduled army podcast interview with President Peter Pellegrini, citing growing tensions between the government and the presidential office. The scrapped interview, which was kept confidential, has become another symbol of the deepening rift between the ruling cabinet and the presidential palace. The cancellation highlights escalating political friction in Slovakia, where the president serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces but the Defense Ministry operates under government authority. This development reflects broader institutional conflicts that have emerged between Slovakia's executive branches, potentially complicating military and defense policy coordination.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Opposition parties see Hungarian election result as message of hope for Slovakia

Slovak opposition parties Progressive Slovakia (PS) and Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) have described the victory of Hungarian opposition candidate Péter Magyar as a significant message and source of hope for Slovakia. SaS argued that the Fico government now faces only two options following the Hungarian election results. The statements suggest the opposition parties view Magyar's success against Viktor Orbán's ruling Fidesz party as potentially inspiring similar political changes in Slovakia, where Robert Fico's Smer-SD leads the current ruling coalition.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Businessman Marián Geci Announces Candidacy for Prešov Region Chairman

Businessman Marián Geci has entered the race to become chairman of the Prešov Self-Governing Region, positioning himself as a Christian candidate focused on practical solutions. Geci argues that the region, located in northeastern Slovakia, needs effective financial management and tangible results that residents can see in their daily lives. The Prešov region is one of Slovakia's eight self-governing regions, responsible for managing regional development, healthcare facilities, secondary schools, and cultural institutions. Regional elections determine who leads these important administrative units that serve as an intermediate level of government between the national government in Bratislava and local municipalities.

TASR/Teraz
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Domestic Politics

Two Politicians to Compete Twice for Votes in Slovakia's 2026 Elections

Marián Porvažník and Karel Hirman will compete for voter support in two separate races during Slovakia's 2026 elections. Meanwhile, Rastislav Trnka, the current chairman of the Košice Region who is serving his second term in office, has not yet announced whether he will seek re-election. According to polling data, the candidate currently leading in surveys is expected to continue their political campaign.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Long-Distance Bus Services Face Further Cuts as State Support Remains Absent

Another long-distance bus route in central Slovakia has been discontinued in January, marking the latest casualty in the country's struggling intercity bus network. The closure comes as operators continue waiting in vain for government financial support, with additional routes from other major towns now under threat of cancellation. The development highlights ongoing challenges in Slovakia's public transportation system, where long-distance bus services have faced mounting financial pressures without state subsidies, forcing private operators to abandon unprofitable routes and leaving some communities with reduced connectivity options.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Elections Have Always Been Unquestionable, Says Raši

A Slovak official stated that elections in Slovakia have consistently been beyond question, responding to concerns about electoral integrity. Raši criticized the Progressive Slovakia party, arguing it has no right to claim that anyone wants to take away or manipulate elections in the country. The statement comes amid broader debates about democratic processes and electoral security in Slovakia. Progressive Slovakia is a liberal opposition party that has previously raised concerns about threats to democratic institutions under the current government led by the populist Smer-SD party.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Former Finance Minister Calls for Hlas Party to Lead Reform Efforts

Former Finance Minister Ivan Mikloš has challenged ministers from the Hlas party to prepare meaningful reforms, amid ongoing political tensions in Slovakia's ruling coalition. The commentary comes as the government faces pressure to address economic and structural challenges. Hlas, a center-left party that split from Smer-SD in 2020, serves as a junior coalition partner alongside Robert Fico's Smer-SD party and the nationalist Slovak National Party. The party is led by President Peter Pellegrini, who previously served as prime minister. Mikloš's call reflects broader debates about the direction of Slovakia's economic policy and the effectiveness of the current three-party coalition government.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Tax Office Warns of Common Errors in 2% Tax Donation System

Slovakia's Financial Administration has issued warnings about hundreds of errors citizens are making when donating 2% of their income tax to designated recipients, with the April 30 deadline approaching. Common mistakes include using outdated forms, failing to attach required employment income certificates, and selecting ineligible recipients. The government recently changed the rules for the 2% tax donation system, which allows taxpayers to direct a portion of their income tax to approved non-profit organizations or individuals in need. Under the new regulations, citizens can now donate their tax portion to parents, expanding the previous eligibility criteria. However, the Financial Administration, Slovakia's tax collection agency, says it has received inadequate guidance on implementing the changes, leading to widespread confusion among taxpayers about the new forms and requirements.

Dennik N
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Domestic Politics

Coalition Partner Danko Calls for Government Reconstruction, Fico Expected to Reject Proposal

Andrej Danko, leader of the Slovak National Party (SNS), has called for a government reconstruction, echoing similar demands previously made by former president Andrej Kiska. However, Prime Minister Robert Fico is expected to reject the proposal. Danko, whose SNS is part of Fico's ruling coalition alongside Smer-SD and Hlas-SD, appears to be repeating what the commentary describes as a fabricated political narrative. The commentary suggests that Slovakia needs a more fundamental government change similar to what opposition leader Péter Magyar is expected to implement in neighboring Hungary, rather than superficial restructuring.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Court Handling Mobile Phone Corruption Case Raises Questions, Hlas Party Seeks Far-Right Support

A Slovak court is handling a controversial mobile phone corruption case amid questions about the judicial process. Separately, the Hlas party, a center-left political party that is part of Slovakia's ruling coalition alongside Smer-SD, is reportedly seeking support from far-right political groups. The developments highlight ongoing political tensions within Slovakia's governing alliance and concerns about judicial independence in high-profile corruption cases. These moves come as the coalition government faces pressure to maintain stability while dealing with various corruption investigations that have targeted Slovak political and business figures.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Slovak MP Mazurek Denied US Visa, Assistant Cites Criminal Conviction as Likely Cause

Milan Mazurek, a Slovak member of parliament, has been denied a visa to enter the United States. According to his assistant, the visa rejection was likely related to Mazurek's criminal conviction rather than his membership in the far-right Republika party. Mazurek, who represents Republika in the National Council, Slovakia's parliament, was previously convicted in Slovak courts. The far-right Republika party, which holds seats in parliament, has been known for its nationalist and anti-immigration stance since entering the legislature.

SME
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