Government Approves Sobrance Spa Revitalization as Eastern Slovakia Regional Campaign Begins

The Slovak government approved a resolution in Haniska to revitalize spa health care services in the Sobrance district, marking an early flashpoint in the campaign for the 2026 regional elections in eastern Slovakia. Igor Šimko, a parliamentary deputy and candidate for regional governor of Košice region, criticized the current regional leadership for failing to address the spa facilities' deterioration. Rastislav Trnka, representing the opposing political view, disputes Šimko's assessment of the regional government's performance. The Sobrance spa issue has emerged as a key debate topic as political parties begin positioning themselves for the regional elections, with healthcare infrastructure becoming a central campaign theme in Slovakia's second-largest region.