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Domestic Politics

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Domestic Politics

Opposition Parties Unite Behind Single Candidate in Bid to Challenge Incumbent Mayor

Opposition parties in Slovakia have consolidated their support behind a single candidate in an upcoming mayoral election, following the withdrawal of one contender from the race. The strategic move aims to maximize their chances against the current incumbent who holds a significant lead. Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), a center-right opposition party, is expected to play a crucial role in determining the success of this unified opposition approach. The consolidation represents a tactical shift designed to avoid splitting the opposition vote and create a more competitive challenge to the established candidate.

Korzár
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Labor Minister Backs SNS Proposal to Increase Pensions for Seniors Over 90

Slovak Labor Minister Erik Tomáš has agreed to support a proposal from the coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) to increase pension payments for seniors aged over 90 years. The SNS, a nationalist party that is part of the ruling government coalition, must now work out the specific details of the pension increase with Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenický. The proposal represents part of ongoing discussions within Slovakia's coalition government about social benefits for elderly citizens, though the financial specifics and implementation timeline remain to be determined through negotiations between the coalition partners.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Danko Insists on Taraba's Dismissal, Plans to Submit Proposal to Prime Minister Tuesday

Andrej Danko, leader of the Slovak National Party (SNS), announced he will deliver a formal proposal to Prime Minister Robert Fico on Tuesday calling for the dismissal of a government official named Taraba. Danko, whose party is part of Slovakia's ruling coalition alongside Fico's Smer-SD and Robert Pellegrini's Hlas, has been pressing for this action as tensions continue within the government. The specific reasons for the dismissal request and the full identity of the official involved were not immediately detailed, as the story is still developing.

TASR/Teraz
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Domestic Politics

Slovakia's Press Agency Receives Qualified Audit Opinion in Annual Report

Slovakia's state-run Press Agency (TASR/PPA) received a qualified audit opinion in its annual report, indicating the auditor found procedural or accounting irregularities. Progressive Slovakia (PS), an opposition liberal party, highlighted that the agency had not received such negative assessment even during the Dobytkár scandal, a major corruption case that previously affected the organization. A qualified audit opinion signals that auditors identified concerns with the agency's financial processes or accounting practices, though the specific nature of the issues was not detailed in the available information.

SMETASR/Teraz
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Publication Examines Why Competent Citizens Choose Poor Political Leaders

A Slovak media outlet has published analysis exploring the disconnect between capable citizens and their electoral choices of inadequate political leaders. The examination suggests that effective political decision-making requires citizens to possess surprisingly extensive knowledge to accurately assess what serves their best interests. The piece addresses a phenomenon observed across democratic systems where voters with strong personal competencies may still select representatives who perform poorly in office.

Dennik N
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Domestic Politics

Former Police Chief Gašpar Should Leave Politics Over Kuciak Case Testimony, Says Opposition Leader

Opposition politician Veronika Remišová has called for former police chief Tibor Gašpar to withdraw from politics following testimony in the Ján Kuciak murder case. The statements reportedly revealed that Gašpar had allegedly threatened businessman Marian Kočner's associate Peter Tóth, also known as Andruskó, with liquidation. The Kuciak case involves the 2018 murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová, a crime that shocked Slovakia and led to massive protests that eventually brought down the government of Robert Fico. Gašpar, who served as police chief during the Fico administration, has faced ongoing scrutiny over his handling of various high-profile cases and his alleged connections to controversial figures in Slovak politics and business.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Key witness claims Zsuzsová said they had police and prosecutor protection in Kuciak case

Zoltán Andruskó, a key witness in the murder trial of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak, testified that defendant Alena Zsuzsová told him they had protection within the police and prosecutor's office. Andruskó also stated that according to Zsuzsová, eliminating Prosecutor General Maroš Žilinka would benefit not only controversial businessman Marián Kočner but others as well. The testimony comes as part of ongoing proceedings in one of Slovakia's most high-profile criminal cases, which has exposed alleged corruption networks linking organized crime figures to law enforcement and political circles. Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová were shot dead at their home in 2018, shortly before Kuciak was set to publish an investigation into alleged ties between Italian mafia groups and Slovak political figures.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Slovak President Bids Farewell to Two Retiring Generals

Slovak President Peter Pellegrini formally bid farewell to two generals who are retiring from active military service. During the ceremony, Pellegrini specifically thanked Major General Balog for his contributions to the development of the Slovak Armed Forces. The retirement of senior military officials is part of the regular rotation of command positions within Slovakia's military structure.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Regional Election 2026: Karel Hirman Withdraws from Košice Governor Race, Backs Marián Porvažník

Karel Hirman has withdrawn from the race for governor of the Košice region in Slovakia's 2026 regional elections and will support Marián Porvažník instead. The two candidates had previously agreed that by the end of May, whichever of them had greater public support would continue as the sole candidate for the position. Porvažník apparently demonstrated stronger backing from voters, leading to Hirman's decision to step aside. Regional governors in Slovakia oversee county-level administration and are elected directly by voters every four years, with the next elections scheduled for 2026.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Labor Ministry Prepares Law Against Fictitious Alternative Care Arrangements

Slovakia's Ministry of Labor is preparing legislation to combat fraudulent alternative care arrangements, according to government plans. The proposed law package will also include previously announced measures to withdraw child allowances from families whose children engage in truancy. The Labor Ministry, which oversees social services and family benefits in Slovakia's government system, has not yet detailed the specific mechanisms that would be used to identify and prevent fictitious care arrangements or how the truancy-related benefit cuts would be implemented.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Government to Hold Session in Eastern Slovakia, Focus on Infrastructure Development

The Slovak government will convene in Haniska, a municipality near Košice in eastern Slovakia, with discussions centered on infrastructure development. The cabinet's decision to meet outside the capital represents an effort to address regional development priorities in the eastern part of the country. Košice serves as Slovakia's second-largest city and the economic center of the eastern region, which has historically faced infrastructure challenges compared to the western regions around Bratislava.

Korzár
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Domestic Politics

Košice Mayor Meets with Ombudsman Over Voting Rights Dispute

Košice Mayor Jaroslav Šimko met with Slovakia's ombudsman to discuss concerns about the city being held hostage in a broader dispute over voting rights. The ombudsman warned about potential inequality in voting rights, suggesting the dispute could affect how citizens' votes are weighted or counted. The meeting highlighted tensions between local governance and national political conflicts that could impact democratic participation in Slovakia's second-largest city.

Korzár
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Domestic Politics

Key witness in journalist murder case testifies about police intimidation and high-level connections

Zoltán Andruskó, a key witness in the murder case of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak, testified at the Pezinok court about intimidation by police officers and referenced former police chief Tibor Gašpar and former special prosecutor Dušan Kováčik. Andruskó also described his connections to Alena Zsuzsová, who has been charged as the alleged organizer of the murder. The testimony comes as part of ongoing proceedings in the high-profile case that has dominated Slovak politics since 2018. Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová were shot dead at their home in February 2018, a crime that triggered massive protests and ultimately led to the resignation of then-Prime Minister Robert Fico. Kuciak had been investigating corruption and ties between Slovak politicians and Italian organized crime. Gašpar served as police chief during the Fico administration and resigned following the murders amid criticism of the police investigation. Kováčik was the head of the Special Prosecutor's Office, which handles major corruption and organized crime cases, before being charged with corruption himself. The case has exposed deep connections between organized crime, business interests, and Slovak political and law enforcement institutions.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Kuciak Murder Case Trial to Continue with Key Witness Testimony

The trial in the murder case of journalist Ján Kuciak is set to continue Monday at the Specialized Criminal Court in Pezinok, with proceedings also covering charges related to planned murders of prosecutors. The Specialized Criminal Court handles major criminal cases including organized crime and corruption in Slovakia. Kuciak, an investigative journalist, was murdered in 2018 along with his fiancée Martina Kušnírová in a case that shocked the nation and led to massive protests and the resignation of the government. The case has been one of Slovakia's most significant criminal trials, involving allegations of contract killing linked to Kuciak's investigative work on corruption and organized crime connections to high-level political figures.

TASR/Teraz
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Domestic Politics

Slovakia's Top Three Constitutional Officials to Meet Following Coalition Talks

Slovakia's three highest constitutional officials will meet on Monday in a gathering called by Prime Minister Robert Fico. The meeting is scheduled to take place after a coalition council session and following discussions with Andrej Danko, chairman of the Slovak National Party (SNS), and Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba, who was nominated by SNS. The trio of top officials comprises the prime minister, president, and parliamentary speaker, representing the executive, presidential, and legislative branches of government. Such high-level meetings typically address significant political developments or coordination between the branches of government, though the specific agenda for Monday's discussion has not been disclosed.

AktualityTASR/Teraz
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Domestic Politics

Opposition Leader Danko Could Paralyze Parliament with Six-Member Faction

Andrej Danko, leader of the Slovak National Party (SNS), holds significant power to disrupt parliamentary operations through his six-member faction. The nationalist party leader has the ability to definitively block multiple pieces of legislation, potentially paralyzing the legislative process. This parliamentary arithmetic gives Danko outsized influence despite his party's small size, as the ruling coalition appears to depend on SNS support to pass key laws. The situation highlights the fragile balance of power in Slovakia's National Council, where small factions can wield disproportionate influence over the government's legislative agenda.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Defense Minister to Get Classified Situation Room with Second Large Screen at New Headquarters

Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák will have access to a classified situation room equipped with large screens at his new headquarters in Kukurica, similar to the White House Situation Room where American presidents have monitored military operations in real time. The facility will feature two large screens - one visible to the public and a second classified screen that will remain hidden from ordinary citizens. The arrangement mirrors the setup used by US presidents to monitor high-profile military operations, including the killing of Osama bin Laden and other live military operations.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Slovakia's Audit and Prosecutor Officials Warn of Threats to Independent Oversight

Leaders of Slovakia's Supreme Audit Office (NKÚ) and Special Prosecutor's Office (PMÚ) have issued public warnings about growing pressure threatening their institutional independence. The officials expressed concern about what they describe as a systematic campaign involving intimidation, defamation, scandalization, and legal harassment designed to undermine oversight of public resources. The Special Prosecutor's Office handles major corruption and organized crime cases, while the Supreme Audit Office monitors government spending and financial management. The control institutions argue that weakening their independence would eliminate crucial checks on government power and public resource management. The officials specifically criticized the silence of Prime Minister Robert Fico's government in response to these pressures, questioning who is truly governing the country and in whose interests.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Prime Minister Fico Facing Political Pressure Despite Apparent Maneuvers

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico appears to be employing political maneuvering tactics amid mounting challenges to his position, according to political analysis. Despite attempts to navigate the current political landscape, observers suggest Fico has limited options to change course from his current trajectory. The assessment comes as Slovakia faces what analysts describe as approaching irreversible changes, even as the political situation may superficially appear stable compared to six months ago. Fico leads Smer-SD, the dominant party in Slovakia's ruling coalition, but has faced increasing domestic and international pressure over various policy positions and governance issues.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Coalition Tensions Escalate as Slovak Interior Minister Faces Potential Dismissal

Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok from the Hlas party faces potential removal from office within days amid escalating disputes between coalition partners. The tensions center around conflicts between Parliament Speaker Peter Pellegrini's Hlas party and Deputy Prime Minister Tomáš Taraba's SNS party, creating significant strain within Slovakia's ruling coalition government. The disputes, while serious enough to threaten ministerial positions, are not expected to bring down the government led by Prime Minister Robert Fico's Smer-SD party. Additional political pressure is mounting as opposition parties target other government officials, including calls for the dismissal of the parliamentary ombudsman.

Dennik N
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