Slovak Coalition Blocks Recall of Police Chief Amid Conflict of Interest Allegations

Slovakia's ruling coalition has blocked efforts to recall police chief Tibor Gašpar, with the governing Smer-SD party unanimously supporting him despite opposition allegations. The opposition has linked Gašpar to a case known as "Očistec" (Purgatory) and warned of potential conflicts of interest in his position. Gašpar has rejected the accusations against him. The political standoff highlights ongoing tensions between the government and opposition over law enforcement leadership in Slovakia, where the police chief position carries significant authority over criminal investigations and national security matters.