This week in Slovakia
Slovakia's media landscape, as reflected by the center-left paper-of-record SME, reveals a country grappling with domestic political tensions while closely observing regional developments. A significant domestic story involves Prime Minister Robert Fico's statements against Judge Katarína Záleská, which a Slovak association has labeled as criminalization
About Slovakia
Slovakia, a Central European nation, boasts a rich history, diverse landscapes from the Carpathian Mountains to the Danube River, and a vibrant cultural heritage. As a democracy, it upholds a free press, though the 2018 murder of journalist Jan Kuciak underscored persistent political pressures and media vulnerabilities. The country navigates its post-communist transition while integrating further into the European Union.
Visiting Slovakia
Media landscape
Slovakia's media environment is generally free, but faces growing political pressures and concerns over media ownership concentration. Television remains a primary source of news for a significant portion of the population.
Seek out a variety of news sources, including independent online portals, to gain a comprehensive understanding of Slovak perspectives and issues.
Sources we track 1
Minister concedes schools may grant compensatory leave on June 30
- Slovak schools are uncertain how to handle May 8th, a public holiday that has become a working day due to consolidation measures. - The Minister of Education, Tomáš Drucker, stated that school emplo…
Slovakia: Hospital Funding Probe Raises Suspicions of Manipulation and Corruption
- An investigation into the distribution of €200 million from Slovakia's Recovery and Resilience Plan for hospitals is raising concerns about manipulation and corruption. - Seven district hospitals re…
Figaro factory survived two world wars, communism, but not Kamenický's consolidation, says SaS
- The Figaro factory in Trnava, Slovakia, is relocating its production to the Czech Republic, a move criticized by the opposition party SaS. - SaS blames the Slovak government's consolidation measures…
Slovak Ministry of Finance Boosts Cybersecurity with EU Funds
- The Slovak Ministry of Finance has concluded a public procurement process to enhance its information and cybersecurity. - The ministry will sign a contract with DATALAN for expert services, funded b…
Slovak Scientist Leads Landmark Study on African Elephant Genome
- A major genomic study of African elephants, led by Slovak evolutionary biologist Patrícia Chrzanová Pečnerová, has been published in Nature Communications. - The research reveals insights into isola…
Slovak Court Acquits Lawyer Ribár in Alleged Witness Extortion Case
- Slovak lawyer Martin Ribár was acquitted by the Bratislava I City Court on April 15 of allegedly extorting a witness. - The case involved a man attacked by members of the Takáčovci criminal group, w…
Moderate Avalanche Risk in Slovak Tatras Mountains
- Moderate avalanche risk (level 2) persists in the High, Western, and Low Tatras mountains. - Small avalanche risk remains in the Veľká Fatra and eastern Low Tatras. - Wet snow avalanches are possibl…
Slovakia Debates IT Law Amendment Crucial for EU Recovery Funds
- Slovak lawmakers began debating a government-proposed amendment to the law on information technologies in public administration. - The amendment, which is in its second reading and being fast-tracke…
Co-Chair of German Party Die Linke Resigns for Health Reasons
- Jan van Aken, co-chair of Germany's far-left party Die Linke, announced his resignation from the position due to health reasons. - He will step down in June but will remain a member of the Bundestag…
Slovak Retailers Face Crisis as Consumer Spending Plummets, Hotels Thrive
- Retail sales in Slovakia continue to decline for the second consecutive year, with e-shops experiencing the most significant drops. - Consumers are spending less due to lower purchasing power, shift…
Israel Welcomes Direct Talks with Lebanon to End Hezbollah's Rule
- Israel welcomes direct negotiations with Lebanon, calling it a "historic opportunity" to end Hezbollah's dominance. - The US facilitated the talks between Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors in Washing…
Slovakia Plunging into Economic Crisis, Warns Opposition Leader Šimečka
- Opposition leader Michal Šimečka warns Slovakia is heading towards a severe economic and social crisis, characterized by a cost-of-living crisis. - Šimečka criticizes the government for failing to i…
No Lessons Needed From Hungary; We Have Them at Home
- The article argues that lessons from Hungary's recent elections hold little practical value for Slovakia due to fundamental differences in political systems and culture. - It highlights that while g…
Ships with Aid for Gaza Sail from Barcelona
- A flotilla of approximately 40 ships departed from Barcelona, Spain, aiming to break the Israeli blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. - The "Global Sumud" flotilla, composed main…
Slovak oversight committee fails to discuss Pellegrini's 2020 Moscow trip
- A parliamentary committee in Slovakia did not discuss the potential influence of Russia or Hungary on the 2020 elections during a meeting about the Slovak Information Service (SIS). - The committee'…
Pope's call for peace must not be a target of political attacks, says president
- Slovak President Peter Pellegrini stated that Pope Francis's call for peace should not be a target of political attacks. - Pellegrini emphasized that the Pope's plea for peace represents billions of…
Losing weight with online-purchased drugs can be dangerous
- Buying weight-loss medication online without a prescription is dangerous due to unverified products and potential health risks. - These counterfeit or unverified products may lack correct ingredient…
Winner of Hungarian elections met with president, Sulyok to task him with forming new government
- Péter Magyar, the candidate for the winning Tisza party, announced that President Tamás Sulyok will task him with forming a new Hungarian government. - Magyar indicated that the new parliament could…
Opposition Has 1.23 Million Voters. It Won't Be Enough for Victory, Though It Leads Fico's Camp
- The Slovak opposition, comprising PS, SaS, Hnutie Slovensko, Demokratov, and KDH, collectively commands 1.23 million voters, a lead of 187,000 over the ruling coalition (Smer, Hlas, Republika). - De…
EU Invests Over €1 Billion in 57 New Defense Projects, Boosting European Industry and Ukraine Cooperation
- The European Commission is investing €1.07 billion in 57 new defense projects under the European Defence Fund (EDF) for 2025. - These investments aim to bolster the European defense industry and sup…
Polish Lawmaker Displays Israeli Flag with Swastika in Parliament
- A far-right Polish lawmaker displayed an Israeli flag defaced with a swastika in the parliament. - The lawmaker accused Israel of genocide and compared it to the Nazi regime. - The incident sparked …
Russia to Continue Oil and Aid Supplies to Cuba Amidst Energy Crisis
- Russia will continue supplying oil and humanitarian aid to Cuba, which is facing a severe energy crisis. - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated this during a visit to China, noting that Rus…
Opposition Claims Hungary Created Migration Crisis on Slovakia's Border at Fico's Request
- The Slovak opposition party Demokrati accused Hungarian politician Péter Magyar of confirming that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán artificially created a migration crisis on Slovakia's border.…
Chernobyl's radioactive traces minimal in Finnish mushrooms, safe for consumption
- Finnish authorities have concluded that forest mushrooms remain safe for consumption, despite detecting minimal traces of Chernobyl's radioactive fallout. - A study by the Finnish Radiation and Nucl…
Slovak Government Divided Over Freezing Ministerial Expenses; Smer Opposes, Hlas Pushes
- The Slovak government is divided over freezing the flat-rate expenses for ministers, with the Smer party opposing the measure. - Minister of Agriculture Richard Takáč (Smer) argued against freezing …
Kanye West postpones concert in France after minister calls for cancellation
- Rapper Kanye West, also known as Ye, postponed his concert in Marseille, France. - The decision followed reports of the French Interior Minister's efforts to cancel the show due to West's past antis…
President's dispute with government awakens pro-Russian bots
- Czech President Petr Pavel's disputes with the government, such as over NATO summit participation, highlight the functioning of the disinformation scene. - Pro-Russian social media accounts, describ…
Trump Criticizes Pope and NATO Again on Social Media
- U.S. President Donald Trump renewed his criticism of Pope Francis and NATO on his social media platform, Truth Social. - Trump expressed dissatisfaction with NATO's stance on the conflict involving …
Nigeria Orders Investigation into Deadly Airstrikes on Yobe Marketplace
- The Nigerian government has ordered a full and independent investigation into weekend airstrikes by the military in Yobe State. - The airstrikes, reportedly targeting Islamic militants, killed at le…
Chinese President Xi Jinping Meets Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov
- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Beijing to strengthen bilateral ties and discuss global issues. - Lavrov criticized efforts by the US and its allies t…
Government to Address Healthcare Staffing Strategy and DataCentrum Funding
- Slovakia faces a critical shortage of healthcare professionals, needing approximately 77,000 more by 2040 to meet EU standards. - The government is set to discuss a national strategy for stabilizing…
Wanted ex-Polish minister Ziobro hints at leaving Hungary for US
- Former Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, who is wanted in Poland, indicated he might leave Hungary for the USA. - Ziobro, who has political asylum in Hungary, criticized Polish Prime Minister…
Slovak Companies Face Weak Year, But Wages Outpace Inflation
- Slovak companies experienced a weak year in 2025, with revenues stagnating and profits declining for the second consecutive year. - Despite the downturn, businesses increased employee wages by 5.3%,…
Meloni backs Pope Leo XIV after Trump's criticism
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed solidarity with Pope Leo XIV after criticism from US President Donald Trump. - Trump had criticized the Pope on social media, calling him too liberal …
Putin and Anna: An Unequal Fight (writes Petra Procházková)
- A recent court ruling in Russia has resulted in a harsh sentence for Anna, a vegan activist, highlighting the increasing repression within the country. - The case, involving young members of the Ves…
Arms dealer Michal Strnad reportedly interested in buying Markíza TV
- Czech billionaire Michal Strnad, owner of arms group Czechoslovak Group (CSG), is reportedly interested in acquiring Slovakia's largest private TV station, Markíza. - The report from IntelliNews sug…
Trump Compares Himself to Christ, Angers Supporters and Religious Leaders
- U.S. President Donald Trump has apologized for a controversial AI-generated image depicting him as Jesus Christ, which caused outrage among religious supporters. - Trump claimed the image was a misu…
Culture Committee to Question Arts Fund on Operations, Seeks Answers by April End
- A Slovak parliamentary committee is sending questions to the Fund for the Support of the Arts regarding its operations and issues with multi-year project funding. - The committee aims to gather ques…
Slovak Interior Ministry Seeks New Director for Police Museum
- The Slovak Ministry of Interior has opened a selection process for the new director of the Police Museum. - Applicants must possess expertise in curatorial work, exhibition development, and relevant…
Financial Administration Records Over One Million Income Tax Returns
- The Financial Administration of Slovakia has processed over one million income tax returns for 2025. - The number of corporate tax returns has increased by 1.49% compared to the previous year. - The…
Progresívne Slovensko Proposes New Housing Benefit
- Slovak opposition party Progresívne Slovensko (PS) has proposed a new housing benefit to help households struggling with rising housing and energy costs. - The proposed benefit aims to assist a broa…
Nationwide police operation to focus on speed limit enforcement
- Slovakia's police force will conduct a nationwide 'Speed Marathon' operation on April 15. - The operation, part of an international ROADPOL initiative, aims to enforce speed limits across the countr…
Cynical Monster: Beyond the Scope of Russian Aid
- Russia's extensive propaganda efforts to aid Viktor Orbán have failed to convince voters facing economic hardship. - The article suggests that economic realities, such as an empty wallet, are more p…
Liberal Party Secures Parliamentary Majority in Canadian By-Elections
- The Liberal Party, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, has secured a majority in the Canadian Parliament following victories in two federal by-elections. - The wins in two Toronto ridings gave the Li…
Slovakia Establishes Pioneering Center for Fecal Microbiota Transplantation
- A new Center for Microbiome and Fecal Microbiota Transplantation has been established at the National Institute of Children's Diseases in Slovakia. - This center is the second of its kind in Europe …
North Korea Conducts New Missile Tests, Overseen by Kim Jong Un
- North Korea conducted a series of missile tests on Sunday, including strategic cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles. - The tests were personally overseen by leader Kim Jong Un and involved project…
Trump Administration Approves Permanent Raising of Rainbow Flag at Stonewall Monument
- The Trump administration has agreed to permanently re-hoist the LGBTQ+ rainbow flag at the Stonewall National Monument in New York. - The flag was removed in February based on a directive prohibitin…
Good morning: Péter Magyar begins cleanup. He wants to get rid of Orbán's cemented nominees
- Péter Magyar, poised to become Hungary's new prime minister, plans to remove entrenched Orbán appointees from government positions. - Magyar intends to challenge President Tamás Sulyok, an appointee…
An application will help the Nemšová hop grower with cultivation
- A new project called PRE CHMEĽ is using modern technology to help the last hop grower in Slovakia maintain crop stability. - The project utilizes micro-climate weather stations and a unique applicat…
Hungary Turns the Page: Magyar's Tisza Party Ousts Orbán in Landslide Election Victory
- Hungary's opposition party Tisza, led by Péter Magyar, has won a decisive victory in parliamentary elections, ending Viktor Orbán's 16-year rule. - Magyar, a former insider of the ruling Fidesz part…
Honda Bets on Affordability with New Super-One EV for UK Market
Honda is launching the Super-One, an affordable electric city car, in the UK in July, adapting a Japanese 'kei car' model to compete with budget EVs.
PM Fico to File Complaint Against Judge Záleská for Abuse of Power
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced he will file a criminal complaint against Specialized Criminal Court judge Pamela Záleská for suspected abuse of power. Fico alleges Záleská was biased in a…
Slovakia lags at the bottom of EU rankings for intellectual property and R&D investment
Slovakia ranks near the bottom of EU countries in intellectual property applications and R&D investment, according to an EUIPO analysis. The country invested 0.98% of its GDP in R&D in 2024, significa…
Slovak Opposition Party Questions Billions in High-Speed Rail Project Amid Regional Disconnect
Slovakia's opposition party SaS is raising concerns about the planned high-speed rail project in Záhorie, arguing it lacks coordination with neighboring countries. SaS claims Austria and the Czech Rep…
Slovak MP Calls for Parliamentary Discussion on Arts Funding Challenges
Slovak Member of Parliament Roman Malatinec has called for a discussion on the functioning of the Fund for the Support of the Arts (FPU) in Slovakia. The event aims to foster constructive dialogue bet…
Another Attempt to Oust Šutaj Eštok; Krúpa Announces Motion with Opposition Support
Slovak opposition lawmaker Juraj Krúpa announced plans to submit a motion to dismiss Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok, with support from other opposition parties. The minister is criticized for his…
Slovak exporters ask for diplomatic resolution of Druzhba dispute
Slovak exporters are urging diplomatic solutions to the Druzhba oil pipeline dispute, citing concerns over supply disruptions and rising prices due to geopolitical tensions. The Slovak Exporters Counc…
Fiala Mocks Babiš Over Orbán's Election Defeat
Former Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala commented on Andrej Babiš's difficult evening following the election defeat of his ally, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Orbán, who had supported Babiš in…
Smoother Commutes into Bratislava as D1 Highway Upgrades Take Effect
Thousands of motorists experienced smoother traffic flow into Bratislava on Monday morning following the reconstruction and expansion of the D1 highway between Bernolákovo and Zlaté piesky. The Nation…