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Domestic Politics

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Domestic Politics

Opposition politician accuses regional governor of misusing public employees for election campaign

Opposition politician Šimko has accused regional governor Trnka of illegally using employees of the regional government office to support his re-election campaign. According to Šimko, the public employees are being directed to persuade local mayors to endorse Trnka's candidacy. The accusation highlights concerns about the misuse of public resources and personnel for political purposes ahead of upcoming regional elections. Such practices would violate Slovakia's election laws, which prohibit the use of state resources for campaign activities.

Korzár
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Domestic Politics

Opposition to propose dismissal of Interior Minister Kaliňák over Prešov hospital construction failures

Slovakia's opposition parties plan to propose the dismissal of Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok over failures in the construction of a new hospital in Prešov. The opposition argues that Kaliňák should bear political responsibility for problems with the project. The move represents the latest challenge to the government led by Smer-SD, the ruling social-democratic party, as opposition parties continue to target cabinet ministers over various policy and administrative issues.

Korzár
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Domestic Politics

Parliamentary Speaker Maintains MP Violated Dress Code with Political T-shirt

Parliamentary Speaker Peter Gašpar insists that opposition MP Ľuboš Hlina violated parliamentary rules by wearing a t-shirt with political messaging during a session. Hlina defended himself Tuesday, explaining that while Gašpar interpreted the text on his shirt as referring to the ruling Smer-SD party, he intended it to reference the country's direction. The opposition lawmaker maintains he did not breach parliamentary dress code regulations. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions in Slovakia's National Council, the country's parliament, where strict dress codes are enforced during official proceedings.

TASR/Teraz
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Domestic Politics

Slovakia's Supreme Court Plans Historic Building Renovation and Judicial Status Reform

The Supreme Court of Slovakia has announced plans to renovate its historic building and reform the status of its judges. František Mozner, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, outlined these institutional development plans. The Supreme Court, which serves as Slovakia's highest judicial authority for civil and criminal matters, is seeking to modernize both its physical infrastructure and internal organizational structure. The renovation would restore the court's historic courthouse, while the status changes would affect the working conditions and administrative framework governing Supreme Court justices.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Environmental Groups Oppose Slovakia's Energy Efficiency Law, Call for Public Input

Environmental organizations are calling for the withdrawal of Slovakia's proposed energy efficiency law, claiming it would keep the country dependent on fossil fuels. The groups are mobilizing public opposition and urging citizens to submit comments during what they describe as the public's last chance to influence the legislation. The law has sparked what environmental activists characterize as an unclear battle involving billions of euros in potential funding. Slovakia, like other European Union members, is required to implement energy efficiency measures as part of broader climate and energy transition goals, but environmental groups argue the current proposal does not adequately support the shift away from fossil fuel dependency.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Ministry Likely Violating Transparency Law by Failing to Publish Contracts and Invoices

The Ministry of Agriculture, led by Richard Takáč from the ruling Smer-SD party, is reportedly violating transparency legislation by failing to publish new contracts and invoices as required by law. The ministry did not respond to questions about the missing contract publications, raising concerns about compliance with Slovakia's public transparency requirements. This development highlights ongoing challenges with government transparency in Slovakia, where public institutions are legally required to publish procurement information and financial documents to ensure accountability and prevent corruption.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Parliament Begins New Session Amid Coalition Questions

Slovakia's National Council, the country's parliament, has started a new session as questions emerge about the stability of the ruling coalition. The parliamentary opening comes as lawmakers prepare to address key legislative priorities while facing internal political challenges within the governing parties.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Government Meets in Eastern Slovakia But Ignores Severe Drought Crisis

The Slovak government convened in Haniska near Košice in eastern Slovakia but failed to address the severe drought devastating the region and the broader country. Despite meeting in an area particularly affected by the catastrophic dry conditions, officials did not include drought mitigation measures on their agenda. The government also continued to postpone discussions on economic growth measures, with Economy Minister Denisa Saková promising to present proposals next week after repeated delays. Eastern Slovakia has been among the hardest-hit regions as drought conditions continue to damage agricultural land and strain local communities across the country.

Dennik N
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Domestic Politics

Opposition Superbloc Led by Šimečka Would Win 70 Seats But Fall Short of Majority, Poll Shows

A hypothetical opposition coalition led by Michal Šimečka would capture 37.8 percent of the vote and 70 parliamentary seats if elections were held today, according to a new poll. However, the mathematics would still favor current Prime Minister Robert Fico, as the opposition bloc would fall well short of the 76 seats needed for a parliamentary majority in Slovakia's 150-seat National Council. The polling suggests that despite forming a unified opposition front, anti-government parties would remain unable to challenge Fico's ruling coalition, which has governed Slovakia since October 2023 when Smer-SD and its coalition partners won a narrow majority.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Government Funded Pro-Russian Website Linked to Kremlin Spy

The Slovak government has provided funding to a pro-Russian website whose correspondent was involved in espionage activities for the Kremlin. Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kaliňák's office transferred thousands of euros to the outlet Hlavné správy (Main News). The website also received a grant from the Government Office, officially designated for "premises reconstruction" according to the contract. This funding arrangement raises questions about the government's financial support for media outlets with demonstrated ties to Russian intelligence operations.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Morning briefing mentions Kaliňák's festival concerns and Hlina's salary situation

A Slovak morning news briefing covered developments involving Interior Minister Matúš Kaliňák and his concerns about the Pohoda music festival, alongside news that MP Richard Hlina will not lose half his parliamentary salary as previously expected. The briefing was part of routine daily news coverage summarizing key political and administrative developments in Slovakia. No specific details about the nature of Kaliňák's festival-related issues or the circumstances surrounding Hlina's salary situation were provided in the available source material.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Parliament Debates Extension of Electoral Term in Second Reading

The National Council, Slovakia's parliament, concluded its session with debates on proposals to extend the electoral term. Both legislative proposals are currently in their second reading stage, with discussions taking place in a combined debate format that allows lawmakers to address multiple related bills simultaneously. The proposals represent a significant constitutional matter, as any changes to electoral terms would require broad parliamentary support and could affect the timing of future elections in Slovakia.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Prime Minister Fico Suggests Exam Only for Students Who Attended His Campus Talk

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico made controversial remarks during a debate with students at a university faculty in Košice, suggesting that an exam should only be given to students who came to hear him speak. Fico, who leads the ruling Smer-SD social democratic party, was visiting the eastern Slovak city to engage with students. During his appearance, he praised students who choose to remain in the region rather than leaving for opportunities elsewhere. The comment about limiting exams to his audience has drawn attention as an unusual statement from the prime minister during what was meant to be an educational visit.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Prime Minister and Interior Minister Accused of Misleading Public Over Hospital Construction

Prime Minister Robert Fico and Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok have been accused of deliberately misleading the public about construction issues at a hospital in Prešov, according to Slovak media analysis. The officials are allegedly trying to divert public attention away from the real problems by focusing debate on concrete-related construction matters rather than addressing the underlying issues with the medical facility project. The controversy appears to be part of a broader pattern of public communication strategies employed by the current government leadership.

Dennik N
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Domestic Politics

Questions Mount Over Secret Hospitals in Slovakia, Opposition Discusses Cooperation

Growing concerns are emerging about secret hospitals operating in Slovakia, while opposition parties have resumed discussions about potential cooperation. A significant development has also occurred in the case involving former minister Matečná. The opposition's renewed talks on collaboration come as political tensions continue in the country, though specific details about the nature of their cooperation discussions remain unclear. Meanwhile, the situation surrounding the former minister represents a notable shift in what has been an ongoing legal or political matter.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Opposition Criticizes Finance Minister Over €105 Million Anti-Fraud IT System

Opposition politicians Veronika Remišová and László Jakab have criticized Finance Minister Ladislav Migaľ over a new IT system designed to combat fraud, calling it an overpriced project worth €105 million. The opposition argues the system is brutally overpriced and designed to cover up the deterioration of anti-tax fraud efforts following interventions by Robert Fico's government. Remišová leads the liberal For the People party, while Jakab heads the ethnic Hungarian OĽaNO-NOVA alliance, both opposition groups. The criticism comes as Slovakia's current government, led by Fico's left-wing Smer-SD party, has faced scrutiny over its handling of financial oversight and anti-corruption measures since returning to power.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Court proceedings begin in corruption case against Košice regional governor Trnka

A court in Námestovo has begun proceedings on charges filed against Rastislav Trnka, the governor of the Košice region in eastern Slovakia. The case represents a significant development in a long-running corruption investigation that has followed Trnka, who leads one of Slovakia's eight regional governments. The timing of the court proceedings could potentially influence upcoming elections, as regional governors in Slovakia are directly elected officials who oversee local administration, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions within their jurisdictions.

Korzár
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Domestic Politics

Former Notary Kavečanský Charged Again as Police Investigate Fifteenth Embezzlement Case

Police have filed a fifteenth embezzlement charge against former notary Kavečanský, adding to an extensive criminal investigation spanning multiple cases of alleged financial misconduct. Thirteen of the embezzlement cases are currently proceeding through the court system, while two others remain in the preliminary investigation phase. The latest charge represents a continuation of what has become one of Slovakia's most extensive notarial fraud investigations, with Kavečanský facing allegations across fifteen separate incidents of suspected embezzlement during his time as a practicing notary.

Korzár
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Parliament Speaker Blocks Botox Regulation Law Despite Health Warnings

Slovak Parliament Speaker Andrej Danko blocked legislation proposed by Health Minister Kamil Šaško that would regulate the administration of botulinum toxin and similar cosmetic substances. Danko defended his decision by citing personal anecdotes, stating "my girlfriend doesn't do botox." Medical experts have warned about serious health risks from unprofessional application of these substances, including tissue death in parts of the skin, lips, or nose, and irreversible blindness. The Health Minister ultimately withdrew the proposed legislation following Danko's opposition. The blocked law would have established stricter oversight for cosmetic procedures involving botulinum toxin, addressing growing safety concerns in Slovakia's largely unregulated cosmetic treatment industry.

Dennik N
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Domestic Politics

Former Slovak Prosecutor Kováčik May Escape Charges in Corruption Case That Led to His Imprisonment

A new judge at Slovakia's Specialized Criminal Court has rejected the indictment against Dušan Kováčik in his first corruption case, creating legal uncertainty about the proceedings that originally led to his detention. Kováčik, who previously served as Special Prosecutor handling major corruption and organized crime cases, was imprisoned pending trial on corruption charges. The rejection of the indictment by the newly assigned judge introduces complex legal scenarios that could potentially allow Kováčik to avoid prosecution in this particular case. The development represents a significant turn in one of Slovakia's high-profile corruption cases involving a former top judicial official.

Dennik N
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