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Domestic Politics

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Domestic Politics

Slovakia's Defense Minister Says Prešov Hospital Built Below Market Prices with Quality Focus

Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák defended the construction of a new hospital in Prešov, stating that the project is being built below market prices while maintaining a focus on quality. Kaliňák, a member of the ruling Smer-SD party, accused the opposition of attempting to halt the hospital's construction. The Prešov hospital project represents a significant healthcare infrastructure investment in eastern Slovakia, though specific details about costs, timeline, or the opposition's concerns were not provided.

Korzár
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Defense Minister Admits Military Disposed of Kub Air Defense Systems as Scrap, Firm Resold for €10 Million

Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák acknowledged that the military disposed of Kub air defense systems as scrap metal, which were subsequently sold by a private company for 10 million euros. The minister emphasized that Slovakia's air force currently maintains the same number of combat-ready Kub missile batteries as when he first took office at the defense ministry. However, Kaliňák was unable to explain how the private firm was able to sell the systems for millions of euros after acquiring them as scrap. The disclosure raises questions about the military's asset disposal procedures and whether valuable defense equipment was inappropriately categorized as worthless scrap.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Progressive Slovakia Shows Different Face in Dubéci Recall Vote

Progressive Slovakia (PS), Slovakia's main liberal opposition party, has initiated the recall of Martin Dubéci from his parliamentary position. The move represents punishment for Dubéci's perceived submission to the ruling coalition's demands. The recall effort highlights internal tensions within PS over how aggressively to oppose the current government led by Robert Fico's Smer-SD party, which returned to power following last year's parliamentary elections.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Opposition Accuses Prime Minister Fico of Constitutional Violations

Opposition critics have accused Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico of encouraging violations of the country's constitution and European Union law. The allegations center on claims that Fico, despite his legal background, is knowingly calling for actions that would exceed constitutional limits and disregard rulings from the European Court of Justice. Fico leads Smer-SD, the dominant party in Slovakia's ruling coalition, and has previously served as prime minister from 2006-2010 and 2012-2018. The accusations reflect ongoing tensions between Slovakia's government and opposition over adherence to constitutional principles and EU legal obligations, though the specific policies or statements that prompted these criticisms were not detailed in available reports.

Dennik N
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Domestic Politics

Opposition Criticizes Slovak Electronic Registration System for Lengthy Process and Chaos

Slovak opposition parties have criticized the government's ePrihlášky electronic registration system, describing it as a lengthy process plagued by chaos. The system has been experiencing exceptionally high traffic volumes, leading to operational difficulties. The ePrihlášky platform is used by citizens to register for various government services online, but the current technical issues have sparked political criticism from opposition lawmakers who argue the system is failing to meet public needs efficiently.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Prime Minister Threatens to Remove Prosecutor if Opposition Moves Against Police Chief

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced he would seek the dismissal of Special Prosecutor Daniel Dubéci if opposition parties proceed with plans to remove Police President Tibor Gašpar from office. Fico, whose Smer-SD party leads the governing coalition, made the statement as part of escalating tensions over high-profile corruption investigations. The Prime Minister also rejected calls to address the Očistec case, a major anti-corruption operation that has targeted several political and business figures. The threat represents a significant escalation in the standoff between the government and opposition parties, who have been critical of Gašpar's leadership of the police force amid ongoing investigations into organized crime and political corruption. The Special Prosecutor's Office handles major corruption and organized crime cases in Slovakia, making Dubéci's position crucial for ongoing anti-corruption efforts.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Payments Discovered Between Accused Official's Company and Former Subordinate's Family Firm

Payments totaling 3,200 euros were transferred from a company linked to Ľubomír Partika to a firm owned by the daughters of his former subordinate at the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) during a period when the authority was deciding on contracts for Partika's company. The former subordinate, Daniela Onderišinová, worked in the PPA section responsible for overseeing these contracts. Partika is currently facing charges in the Dobytkar corruption case, a major procurement fraud investigation involving inflated government contracts. The timing of the payments raises questions about potential conflicts of interest, as they occurred while Onderišinová's department was evaluating contracts that would benefit Partika's business interests.

Dennik N
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Domestic Politics

Slovakia's New Civil Code Requires Additional Legal Updates, Justice Ministry Says

Slovakia's Justice Ministry has announced that the country's new Civil Code requires supplementary legislative changes to related legal provisions affected by the comprehensive legal overhaul. The ministry warned that leaving existing laws unchanged would create legal confusion, internal contradictions, and practical application problems within the Slovak legal system. The Civil Code, which represents a major recodification of Slovak civil law, appears to require coordinated updates to other legal statutes to ensure consistency across the country's legal framework.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Police Conduct Special Border Control Operation at Eastern Frontier

Police conducted a special control operation at Slovakia's eastern border, targeting drug trafficking and verifying declared cargo shipments. The operation involved enhanced inspections of vehicles and goods crossing the frontier, with officers specifically searching for narcotics while also checking the accuracy of declared merchandise being transported across the border.

Korzár
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Domestic Politics

Coalition Disputes Over Environment Minister Focus on Funding Access, Critics Say

Political disputes within Slovakia's ruling coalition regarding Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba center primarily on accessing ministry funds rather than environmental policy concerns, according to critics. The Environment Ministry has been identified as having multiple mechanisms that allow for withdrawing money without necessarily benefiting environmental protection. Opposition voices are calling for efforts to halt such practices at the ministry.

Dennik N
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Domestic Politics

Slovak Police Arrest Multiple People in Operation Jastrab, Seize Luxury Vehicles and Bank Accounts

Slovak police conducted a major operation codenamed Jastrab (Hawk), resulting in the detention of several individuals. During the operation, law enforcement seized multiple luxury motor vehicles and froze monetary assets held in bank accounts. The operation appears to be part of a broader investigation, though authorities have not yet disclosed the specific nature of the alleged crimes or the identities of those detained.

TASR/Teraz
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Domestic Politics

Interior Minister Gašpar Says He Will Only Resign If Smer Voters Signal Support for His Departure

Slovak Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok, known as Gašpar, stated in an interview that he would only consider resigning if voters of his party Smer-SD signal their support for his departure. The minister was assisted by Para during the interview explanation of his position. Smer-SD is the dominant party in Slovakia's ruling coalition, led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, and follows a social-democratic ideology with populist elements. The statement comes amid ongoing pressure on Gašpar to step down, though the specific reasons for the resignation calls were not detailed in the available information.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Slovakia implements changes to civil registry law to reduce bureaucracy

Slovakia has implemented changes to its civil registry law that took effect in June, aimed at reducing bureaucratic procedures for citizens. The reforms allow people to use electronic civil registry documents for legal purposes, marking a shift toward digital government services. The changes are part of broader efforts to modernize administrative processes and make government interactions more efficient for Slovak residents.

TASR/Teraz
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Domestic Politics

Opposition party moves to dismiss Slovak Defense Minister over hospital project failures

The opposition Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) has submitted a proposal to remove Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák from office, citing failures in the construction of a hospital in Prešov. KDH, which sits in opposition to Slovakia's ruling coalition, is launching the dismissal attempt over what it describes as significant problems with the hospital construction project. An extraordinary parliamentary session to debate the motion is expected to take place within a week. The proposal represents the latest challenge to Kaliňák, who has served as defense minister in the current government led by Prime Minister Robert Fico's Smer-SD party.

SMEAktuality
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Domestic Politics

Košice Regional Governor Seeks Third Term Despite Losing Key Support Over Tender Allegations

Rastislav Trnka, the current governor of Košice region, has announced his intention to run for a third term in the 2026 regional elections. However, Trnka is facing suspicions over alleged irregularities in a public tender process, which have cost him important political backing as he prepares for the upcoming campaign. Regional governors in Slovakia are directly elected officials who oversee administration and development in their respective regions, making them key figures in local governance and public investment decisions.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

Former Prosecutor General Trnka Announces Candidacy for Regional Governor Without Party Support

Dobroslav Trnka, Slovakia's former Prosecutor General, announced his candidacy for regional governor despite lacking support from major political parties. The announcement drew backing from dozens of mayors and local officials, though many of Trnka's previous campaign promises have remained unfulfilled. Trnka served as Prosecutor General from 2011 to 2019 and was a controversial figure during his tenure, facing criticism over his handling of high-profile corruption cases and his relationship with the ruling Smer-SD party at the time.

Korzár
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Domestic Politics

Opposition Party Files Criminal Complaint Against Interior Minister Over Furniture Purchase

The liberal opposition party Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) has filed a criminal complaint with Slovakia's General Prosecutor's Office against Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok over a three-million-euro furniture purchase for the Kukurica government complex. The party alleges the minister violated procurement laws by failing to publish a detailed list of items included in the purchase. SaS claims the lack of transparency in the procurement process constitutes a serious breach of legal requirements governing public spending. The Kukurica complex serves as a government administrative building, and the furniture purchase has drawn scrutiny from opposition parties who question the procurement procedures and cost involved.

Aktuality
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Domestic Politics

New Regional Prosecutors Appointed in Bratislava and Košice

Slovakia has appointed new regional prosecutors in two of its largest cities. Remeta has been named as the new regional prosecutor for Bratislava, while Judita Gulbišová has been appointed to the same position in Košice. Regional prosecutors in Slovakia oversee criminal prosecutions and legal proceedings within their respective jurisdictions, serving as key figures in the country's judicial system. The appointments represent significant changes in the leadership of prosecution services in Slovakia's capital and its second-largest city in the eastern region.

SME
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Domestic Politics

Smer Leads in Slovak Poll But Lacks Majority to Form Government

Slovakia's ruling social-democratic party Smer-SD would win the most votes if parliamentary elections were held now, according to a new poll conducted for TV Markíza. However, the party's projected support would be insufficient to form a government coalition. The poll results highlight the fragmented nature of Slovakia's current political landscape, where no single party appears capable of securing enough seats to govern independently. Smer-SD, led by former prime minister Robert Fico, has been the dominant force in Slovak politics for much of the past two decades but has faced increased competition from opposition parties in recent years. The findings suggest that forming a stable government coalition would require complex negotiations between multiple parties, potentially creating uncertainty about Slovakia's political direction and policy implementation.

Bratislavak
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