Slovak PM Fico Calls State TV Journalist a 'Fool', Draws Criticism From Own Party

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico sparked a public controversy after calling a state television journalist a 'fool' and saying he would douse her with cold water 'like in a madhouse,' comments that drew criticism even from within his own ruling party. Fico made the remarks during a public meeting with high school students, targeting a reporter from RTVS, Slovakia's public broadcaster. The outburst came a day after the journalist had questioned him at a Visegrád Four (V4) summit in Budapest — a regional forum bringing together the leaders of Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic. Fico said he would spray her with a hose and repeatedly called her a 'fool,' adding 'excuse the expression' before repeating the insult. The comments provoked reactions across the political spectrum, including from Ľuboš Baláž, a member of parliament from Fico's own Smer-SD party — the ruling left-nationalist party that has dominated Slovak politics for much of the past two decades. Baláž said Fico should apologize for the remarks. Opposition politicians also condemned the statements. The episode adds to a pattern of tension between Fico's government and independent and public media in Slovakia, raising concerns among press freedom advocates about the climate for journalists in the country.