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Domestic Politics

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Domestic Politics

Opposition Leader Rejects PM Fico's Challenge, Calls Him a Coward

Opposition leader Michal Šimečka rejected Prime Minister Robert Fico's challenge for a political debate, calling Fico a coward in response. Government politicians, who typically hold press conferences even on weekends, claimed they wanted to give Slovakia "at least one weekend without politics." The dispute arose as a commercial television station had already planned not to air one of its regular political programs due to hockey world championships coverage.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

MP Ľubomíra Benešová announces mayoral candidacy for Revúca

Member of Parliament Ľubomíra Benešová has announced she will run for mayor of Revúca, a town in central Slovakia. Benešová outlined her campaign goals as improving city management, securing more funding for the municipality, and making life more affordable for Revúca's residents. The announcement comes ahead of Slovakia's upcoming municipal elections, where voters will choose mayors and local council members across the country's cities and towns.

TASR/Teraz
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Domestic Politics

Opposition Parties Condemn Assassination Attempt on Slovak Prime Minister as Attack on Democracy

Opposition parties Progresívne Slovensko (Progressive Slovakia) and Sloboda a Solidarita (Freedom and Solidarity) condemned the recent assassination attempt on Slovakia's prime minister as a serious attack on democracy. Parliament member Zuzana Števulová from Progressive Slovakia expressed hope that such an incident would never happen again, describing the attempt as a grave threat to the country's democratic institutions. Progressive Slovakia and Freedom and Solidarity are both liberal opposition parties in the National Council, Slovakia's parliament, that have been critical of the current government. The assassination attempt represents an unprecedented escalation of political tensions in the country, prompting condemnation across the political spectrum regarding violence against elected officials.

TASR/Teraz
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Opposition Party Calls for Prosecutor General to Investigate Vietnamese Kidnapping Case

The opposition Freedom and Solidarity party (SaS) has called on Slovakia's Prosecutor General to take action regarding a kidnapping case involving a Vietnamese national. The party highlighted the international dimensions of the case, suggesting it requires high-level prosecutorial attention due to its cross-border implications. SaS, a liberal opposition party that advocates for rule of law and anti-corruption measures, made the appeal as part of its efforts to ensure proper investigation of cases with potential international ramifications.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Political Extremism Problem Intensified After Prime Minister Attack, Intelligence Chief Warns

The head of Slovakia's Intelligence Service (SIS) warned that the problem of politically motivated extremism has become more pronounced following the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico in May. The intelligence chief described the attack on Fico as the most serious security incident in Slovakia's recent history. The warning highlights growing concerns about political polarization and radicalization in the Central European nation, where tensions between the ruling coalition and opposition have intensified since Fico's populist Smer-SD party returned to power last year.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Another Candidate Announces Bid for Prešov Regional Governor Position

A new candidate has announced their intention to run for the position of regional governor in Prešov, Slovakia's northeastern region. The candidate, who withdrew early from the previous election, has criticized both current governor Milan Majerský and former governor Milan Mazurek. The Prešov region is one of Slovakia's eight self-governing regions, with the governor serving as the chief executive responsible for regional development, healthcare, education, and social services. Regional elections in Slovakia typically generate significant local interest as governors oversee substantial budgets and coordinate between national government policies and local needs.

Korzár
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Domestic Politics

Legal Weekly Review: Constitutional Amendment Proposal Called 'Eager'

A legal commentary by Rada Procházku described the proposed constitutional amendment as 'eager' in this week's legal review. The analysis highlighted three recurring themes in Slovak politics: Prime Minister Robert Fico making promises instead of parliament speaker Boris Kollár, the evolution of political figures over time, and the cyclical nature of political developments. The commentary appears to critique the repetitive patterns in Slovak political discourse and constitutional reform efforts.

Dennik N
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Domestic Politics

Opposition Party Demands Withdrawal of SNS Tax Proposal, Warning of Higher Taxes for Businesses

The liberal opposition party Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) has called for the immediate withdrawal of a local tax proposal submitted by the Slovak National Party (SNS), a member of the ruling coalition. SaS warned that the SNS proposal would result in higher taxes and increased bureaucratic harassment for entrepreneurs and businesses. The Slovak National Party, led by Andrej Danko, is part of the governing coalition alongside the social-democratic Smer-SD party and the centrist Hlas party. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions over tax policy between the ruling coalition and opposition parties, with SaS positioning itself as a defender of business interests against what it characterizes as anti-business measures.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Actors and Comedians Return to Political Activism After 25-Year Hiatus

Prominent Slovak actors and comedians, including the comedy duo Noga & Skrúcaný, have announced their return to political activism, admitting they mistakenly believed their civic duty was complete after helping end Vladimir Mečiar's rule in 1998. During the 1990s, these entertainers were banned from state television and radio under Mečiar's authoritarian government and responded by touring the country to expose government scandals and mobilize voters. Their campaign contributed to Mečiar's electoral defeat in the fall 1998 elections, which kept Slovakia from remaining isolated in Europe. The group, which also included respected actors Ladislav Chudík, Milan Lasica, Marián Labuda, and Jaro Filip, had stepped back from political involvement after 1998, believing their work was done. Now they acknowledge this was a mistake and are re-engaging in civic activism, though the article does not specify what current political developments have prompted their return.

Dennik N
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Domestic Politics

Opposition Party Challenges Citizenship Law at Constitutional Court Over LGBTI Rights

Progresívne Slovensko, an opposition liberal party, has filed a petition with the Constitutional Court challenging Slovakia's citizenship law, arguing it inadequately protects LGBTI citizens. The party claims that LGBTI individuals are being involuntarily stripped of their Slovak citizenship in certain cases under current legislation. The Constitutional Court, Slovakia's highest judicial authority on constitutional matters, will now review whether the citizenship law violates constitutional principles of equal treatment and protection of fundamental rights.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Former Anti-Corruption Chief Warns Major Bribery Case Could Collapse Under New Legal Amendments

A former senior anti-corruption official has warned that a major bribery case involving two high-profile suspects could collapse if proposed amendments to Slovakia's criminal procedure code are approved. Ľubomír Daňko, who previously headed the Očistec (Purgatory) working group that investigated corruption in law enforcement, said the amendments could render key witnesses unusable in the case against former police chief Tibor Gašpar and businessman Norbert Bödör. The case centers on allegations of massive bribery, with all participants except Gašpar and Bödör agreeing that such corruption occurred. If the proposed legal changes classify cooperating witnesses as unusable informants, Daňko warned the entire case could fall apart, potentially allowing the two main suspects to escape prosecution.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Government Coalition Risks Municipal Bankruptcy Crisis, Delays Solution Until September

Slovakia's ruling coalition is facing a potential crisis as local governments risk financial collapse, with solutions being postponed until September. The coalition, led by Prime Minister Robert Fico's Smer-SD party along with the nationalist SNS and Hlas parties, appears to be considering using legislation proposed by SNS as a mechanism to implement changes to the country's debt brake rules. The debt brake is a constitutional mechanism that limits government borrowing and spending to maintain fiscal stability. The delay in addressing municipal financial difficulties could leave local governments across Slovakia struggling with budget shortfalls and potential bankruptcy proceedings. The situation highlights growing tensions within the coalition over fiscal policy and the management of public finances at both national and local levels.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Slovakia Marks Two Years Since Assassination Attempt on Prime Minister Fico

Slovakia commemorates the second anniversary of the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico in the town of Handlová. Fico, who survived the shooting attack two years ago, is scheduled to make a public statement at noon regarding the incident. The prime minister leads a coalition government dominated by the social-democratic Smer-SD party. Meanwhile, Bratislava launched its first electric bike-sharing system in partnership with Slovnaft, marking a significant development in the capital's public transportation infrastructure.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Former Slovak PM Matovič Faces Legal Issues Over Defamation Case

Former Prime Minister Igor Matovič is facing legal troubles related to a defamation case involving Ľuboš Blaha. Blaha, a prominent politician, claims that justice is finally coming after what he describes as years of unfair treatment by Matovič. The former prime minister, who has had over three years to apologize to Blaha, maintains he has not done so for straightforward reasons, though the specific details of his justification were not elaborated. The case appears to center on previous public statements or actions by Matovič that Blaha characterized as defamatory manipulation.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Morning Brief: Fico Initially Dreamed of Merz, Kaliňák Didn't Show All Cards Near Prešov

A morning news briefing highlights key developments in Slovak politics, including commentary on Prime Minister Robert Fico's earlier aspirations regarding Friedrich Merz and Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák's strategic discretion regarding matters near Prešov. The briefing appears to cover the most important news stories of the day through both written and audio formats.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Hungarian Alliance Leader Says Party Won't Reverse Exclusion of Smer While He Remains Chairman

László Gubík, who became chairman of the Hungarian Alliance in autumn 2024, has declared that the party will not reverse its decision to exclude Smer and the Republic party from potential cooperation as long as he leads the organization. The 40-year-old politician, born in Levice and educated in Budapest, previously served as chairman of the youth organization of the Party of the Hungarian Community called Via Nova. In a recent interview, Gubík discussed the party's decision-making process regarding the exclusion of Smer-SD, the ruling social-democratic party, and Republic, a far-right opposition party, as well as his expectations for negotiations with other opposition parties. The Hungarian Alliance represents Slovakia's ethnic Hungarian minority, which comprises about 8% of the country's population. Gubík also addressed his views on Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar and criticized Prime Minister Robert Fico's recent visit to Moscow, highlighting tensions over Slovakia's foreign policy orientation amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Dennik N
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Domestic Politics

Slovak News Roundup: EU Fund Fraud Investigation and Street Vendor Controversy

Slovak authorities are awaiting findings from the European Public Prosecutor's Office regarding investigations into alleged misuse of EU funds for construction projects, with officials stating their own oversight found no irregularities. Meanwhile, a separate controversy has emerged involving a street vendor selling traditional Slovak flatbread called langos, though specific details of this case remain unclear. The juxtaposition of these stories highlights ongoing concerns about transparency in both major EU-funded developments and everyday business regulation in Slovakia.

Dennik N
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Domestic Politics

Minister Šutaj Eštok Faces Setbacks as Lángos Scandal Continues to Dominate Slovak Politics

Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok suffered a political setback as the so-called "lángos scandal" continued to stir controversy across Slovakia's political scene and public debate. The scandal, which has become a significant talking point in Slovak politics, involves allegations that have kept the minister and his department under intense scrutiny. The ongoing affair has generated widespread discussion among politicians and the public, with new polling data reflecting the political impact of recent controversies affecting the government coalition.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Coalition Keeps Economic Growth Measures Secret as Internal Disputes Surface

Slovakia's ruling coalition has yet to reveal details of economic stimulus measures following a Thursday coalition council meeting, with the public left in the dark about the government's plans to support the economy. The coalition issued only a brief statement announcing that the first package of measures would include changes that have no impact on the state budget. The secrecy surrounding the pro-growth initiatives comes as internal disputes within the coalition have become increasingly visible, raising questions about the government's ability to implement coherent economic policy. The lack of transparency regarding these economic measures reflects broader challenges facing Prime Minister Robert Fico's coalition government, which has struggled with internal disagreements since taking power.

Dennik N
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Domestic Politics

Digital advocacy group calls on Slovak government to act on Slovensko.sk portal renewal

Slovensko.Digital, a civic technology advocacy organization, has called on the Slovak government to take action regarding the renewal of the Slovensko.sk portal, the country's main digital government services platform. The organization stated that recent statements confirm that the Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization (MIRRI) cannot hide basic information about citizen services behind classification rules during the portal's renovation process. The call highlights concerns about transparency in the government's digital transformation efforts, as Slovensko.sk serves as the primary gateway for citizens to access public services online.

TASR/Teraz
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