Slovak Politicians Spark Speculation Over Earpieces During TV Debate

Deputy Parliament Speaker Tibor Gašpar and Agriculture Minister Richard Takáč, both from the ruling Smer-SD party, drew viewer attention during a Thursday evening television debate on Ta3's "Kráľ na ťahu" program. Close-up camera shots appeared to show both politicians wearing what looked like foreign objects in their ears, leading viewers, humor pages, and opposition politicians to speculate they were using earpieces to receive coaching during the live discussion. The incident became a topic of social media discussion, with many suggesting the politicians were being fed talking points through the devices. Smer-SD is Slovakia's ruling social-democratic party that leads the current government coalition.