Slovak Government Strips Roma Affairs Commissioner of Control Over Funding

The Slovak government has removed Roma affairs commissioner Alexander Daško from control over millions of euros in funding for Roma community projects. Prime Minister Robert Fico appointed Daško, a loyal member of the ruling Smer party, to the position after the 2023 elections to oversee the distribution of project funding. Five sources close to the commissioner's office confirmed that the Government Office has been dissatisfied with Daško's performance due to his inability to effectively manage the role, and that a department head has been unofficially running the commissioner's office for some time. The decision transfers significant financial authority away from the appointed commissioner to the head of the Government Office, marking a notable shift in how Slovakia manages funding for its Roma minority community programs.