About: Slovakia
Shock as Slovak court acquits businessman of journalist murder
The case of a murdered investigative journalist delivered a new shock in Slovakia Thursday, as a high-profile businessman was acquitted of ordering the killing that ultimately exposed high-level political corruption and toppled the governing party.
Fatal Charleroi airport arrest weighs on Belgian authorities
Although Slovakia has been careful not to over-react over the fatal and controversial 2018 arrest of a Slovak man in Charleroi in February 2018, the issue continues to be an embarrassment for the Belgian authorities.
Slovakia expels three Russian diplomats, link to Berlin murder reported
Slovakia said on Monday (10 August) it has expelled three staff at the Russian embassy in Bratislava whilst citing an abuse of Slovak visas, which local media said was linked with a murder of a Georgian man in Berlin last year.
Visegrad leaders call for ‘fair’ EU recovery fund
Four central European prime ministers called for a "fair" distribution of the EU's massive recovery fund on Thursday (11 June), at what has been dubbed the bloc's first major face-to-face political meeting since the coronavirus lockdown.
Visegrad leaders hold first face-to-face talks of virus crisis
Masks and gloves will be the order of the day when the prime ministers of four ex-communist countries on Thursday (11 June) hold the first major face-to-face meeting of European leaders since the coronavirus crisis.
EU code of practice on disinformation ‘insufficient and unsuitable,’ member states say
A coalition of EU member states have hit out at the bloc's efforts to stem the spread of disinformation, calling the self-regulatory framework currently in place "insufficient and unsuitable."
Hungary banks on Balkan Stream to triple capacity of gas supply to Slovakia
Hungary will triple the capacity of a natural gas pipeline border interconnector towards Slovakia by 2024, enabling the pipeline to carry more than 5 billion cubic metres of natural gas per year, the foreign minister said on Tuesday (2 June).
Kosovo president rejects EU mediator for talks with Serbia
Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi said on Tuesday (26 May) he would not take part in talks on normalising ties with Serbia led by an European Union special mediator, calling instead for an increased US role in the dialogue.
Slovakia closes off five Roma settlements due to coronavirus
Slovakia has closed off several Roma settlements in the eastern part of the country after reports of a cluster of coronavirus cases in five of them, highlighting difficulties faced by Europe’s largest ethnic minority during the pandemic.
Visegrad Group: Will a new wind dispel the clouds?
One thing is moving in the right direction: according to the most recent Eurobarometer surveys, the pro-EU sentiment stands at a high level in the four Visgrad countries, write Yannis Karamitsios and Marcela Valkova.
Slovak political map redrawn by unorthodox opposition leader’s victory
The conservative movement Ordinary People (OĽaNO) party won Saturday’s (29 February) parliamentary elections in Slovakia and will be the dominant player in a likely government coalition of opposition parties. Its leader Igor Matovič promises zero tolerance for corruption.
Why Slovakia’s elections matter
Slovakia’s parliamentary elections on Saturday (29 February) are on course to redraw the country’s political map, and also its role in the European Union, writes Grigorij Mesežnikov.
Slovakia’s Lajcak tipped to be next UN envoy for Western Sahara
Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak, who once served as the president of the UN General Assembly, is expected to be named the world body's new special envoy for disputed Western Sahara, diplomats said Wednesday (12 February).
Contract killer tells court how he murdered Slovak journalist and his fiancee
A former soldier admitted in court on Monday (13 January) killing a Slovak journalist whose murder two years ago led to anti-corruption protests that brought down the government of long-time prime minister Robert Fico. Miroslav Marček told a court he...
Slovak President asks court to quash Europe’s longest pre-election poll blackout
Slovakia's president asked the Constitutional Court on Thursday (5 December) to strike down a lengthy ban on publishing opinion polls ahead of elections in February, a restriction seen by most opposition parties as an attempt to sideline political newcomers.
Cash for clean air: Between unbankable projects and unpopular measures
EU cohesion funding for environmental measures has not been spent as planned and EU member states are reluctant to apply the “no environmental harm” principle. EURACTIV Slovakia reports. “If you think the economy is more important than environment, try holding...
Implementing clean air rules the eternal problem, as EU countries told to raise game
Industry, agriculture and transport were asked to decrease air pollution at a high-level EU forum in Slovakia on clean air but the responsible ministers and new Commissioners were absent from the Bratislava event.
Babis voices regret for Czech communist past at Velvet Revolution anniversary
The Czech Republic's billionaire prime minister expressed regret over his communist past on Sunday (17 November) while Slovakia's liberal president hailed the sacrifices communist-era dissidents made for democracy as their nations celebrated 30 years since the Velvet Revolution toppled communism in then-Czechoslovakia.
Media-shy Czech mogul buys TV empire spanning five EU countries
The PPF investment group owned by Petr Kellner, who keeps a low profile despite being the Czech Republic's wealthiest man, said Monday (28 October) it had sealed a deal for the CME media group running 30 TV stations in five Central European states.
Slovak parliament bans opinion polls 50 days before elections
Slovakia's ruling leftist Smer party pushed a bill through parliament on Monday (28 October) extending a ban on opinion polls to 50 days before elections, one of the longest periods in the world.
MEP Novakov: EU Cohesion policy needs a tough lady like Elisa Ferreira to defend it
Rule of law should be a matter of respect everywhere, not only in the Cohesion Policy. But ordinary beneficiaries should not be held responsible for the action of the whole country infringing common EU standards, MEP Andrey Novakov told EURACTIV Slovakia in an interview.
Why it makes sense to adopt new own resources for the EU budget
The European Union is forgetting the revenue side of the EU budget to pursue its policies. The new own resources can provide a link to an EU policy, increase ownership, and shape behaviour of citizens, businesses and governments, write a group of Slovak diplomats.
Tens of thousands march for ban on abortions in Slovakia
Tens of thousands marched in Slovakia's capital on Sunday (22 September) calling for a total ban on abortions in the predominantly Catholic central European country.