Former Presidential Office Chief Criticizes Pellegrini's Formal Protocol Upgrades

Former head of the presidential office Metod Špaček has criticized President Peter Pellegrini's emphasis on formal protocol, arguing that the president is using ceremonial upgrades to compensate for the lack of high-level visitors to Slovakia. Špaček, a lawyer and diplomat who previously served in the presidential office, noted that formal dinner events with dress codes were not used even when hosting Queen Elizabeth II. His comments suggest that Pellegrini is attempting to create an impression of diplomatic significance through enhanced protocol measures rather than attracting genuinely important international visits. The criticism highlights ongoing debates about Slovakia's diplomatic standing and the effectiveness of the current administration's foreign policy approach.