Slovak PM Fico Draws Criticism Over Response to Teacher's Murder

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has come under fire for his response to the killing of a female teacher in Gelnica, a town in eastern Slovakia, with critics accusing him of treating the case with inappropriate levity. The murder, which reportedly involved a victim who had suffered prolonged abuse, has sparked public outrage — not only over the crime itself but over the tone struck by Fico, leader of the ruling Smer-SD party, in addressing it. Separately, Fico made a pointed public attack on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a move observers say is likely tied to broader geopolitical positioning, as Fico has increasingly aligned himself with pro-Russian and Eurosceptic positions since returning to power in 2023. Fico has repeatedly clashed with Western European leaders over issues including support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, reports emerged that lawmakers connected to the government are being rewarded in connection with the Ružín reservoir project — suggesting that political loyalty is being compensated through project-linked benefits, raising fresh concerns about patronage practices within Slovakia's ruling coalition.