Two protests in support of culture. Pressure on the Culture Minister to resign grows. And coalition holds opposition accountable for any future attack on its members, as rumours spread about possible reconstruction of the government. Read our weekly overview of news on Friday.
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A civil protest for defence of culture took place in Bratislava on Monday. According to the police estimate, 9,000 people participated. The protest, organized by an independent platform uniting culture institutions, artists and workers was called after the dismissal of Slovak National Theatre director Matej Drlička and director of the Slovak National Gallery Alexandra Kusá last week.
The protesters emphasized that the Slovak National Party should not be in charge of culture and demanded the resignation of the Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová and the Ministry’s Chief-of-Staff Lukáš Machala.
Prior to the protest, several representatives of the cultural community discussed the steps of the Culture Ministry and the state of culture in Slovakia at the Slovak National Theatre. Also on Monday, a meeting was held at the Culture Ministry regarding the Slovak National Theatre situation, but according to one of the theatre representatives, things did not move forward in the debate.
Around double the number of protesters came to another protest on Tuesday, organised by two opposition parties PS and SaS. They protested against the actions of the government, criticising the current situation in culture, changes in the management of culture institutions and expressing their concerns about the rule of law. They demanded the dismissal of the Culture Minister and Justice Minister. The reason for the resignation of the latter is his recent motion resulting in the release of convicted former special prosecutor Dušan Kováčik from prison.
Prime Minister Robert Fico, on the other hand, sees no reason to dismiss the Culture and Justice Ministers. Fico pointed out that he respects the different views of the opposition, but they lack arguments. Fico stressed that the streets cannot decide.
The coalition has responded to the anti-government protests and criticism of the ministers in a joint statement. According to them, the opposition will be held accountable for any future attack or assassination attempt on any coalition member. The Office for the Protection of Constitutional Officials has informed it has taken increased security measures in connection with the public gatherings.
Meanwhile, the Culture Minister dismissed 3 members of the Arts Council, a body responsible for allocating funds for culture projects, and appointed 6 new members, with two positions being still vacant. At the same time, she criticised an NGO for receiving a multiple year support from the Council. But the council itself published a statement explaining that multiple year support is a standard procedure. The Milan Šimečka foundation is named after an influential philosopher and grandfather of the opposition party leader Michal Šimečka.
In an open letter, 5 former culture ministers have criticised the Culture Minister for her attempts to control the culture sector in Slovakia. There is also criticism from culture institutions abroad. The opposition is preparing a no-confidence motion in both the Culture Minister and Justice Minister. The third minister that could face a no-confidence motion soon is the Health Minister Zuzana Dolinkova. The Christian Democratic Movement is aiming at initiating it with the support of other opposition parties. Among the reasons given is the situation at the cardiology department at Trencin University Hospital and claims that the minister hasn't done anything to stabilise the health-care sector, despite the fact that the budget for health saw an extra €1 billion. Opposition party SaS has called for her resignation previously.
One of the issues pointed out by the Christian Democrats are claims that all health-insurance companies have been losing money. At the end of June, the state-owned health insurance company VSZP was in an almost 50 million deficit. The Office for Health Care Supervision ordered the company to submit a recovery plan. On Tuesday Health Minister Zuzana Dolinková dismissed its director general after 4 months in the office.
There have been rumours in political circles about the autumn reconstruction of the government. Sources from within the coalition have confirmed this to Slovak Radio. In this context, the opposition claims that one of the ministries that could see a change of the minister is the Culture Ministry. According to opposition MP Zora Jaurová, dissatisfaction with the culture minister is across the political spectrum. Coalition MP Roman Michelko confirmed he had picked up the rumours about the reconstruction of the government but he sees them only as speculations.
After a Monday call by the opposition party Progresivne Slovensko, President Peter Pellegrini has informed he will hold meetings with Prime Minister Robert Fico, ministers, and leaders of political parties, including the opposition, on current issues.
A team of 18 Slovak firefighters has left for France to assist with the fight against forest fires. France has requested help from other European countries to battle the forest fires across the country. The firefighters are set to return in 14 days.
The winner of the journalistic photo competition Slovak Press Photo 2024 is the author of the photo documenting the shooting of the Prime Minister Robert Fico Mid may in Handlová. Its author Radovan Stoklasa was granted the award because of the relevance and importance of the event captured by the photo.
Average nominal monthly salaries in Slovakia recorded year-on-year growth in all monitored segments this June. Real salaries grew in eight sectors from last year, with the biggest growth posted in retail. On the other hand, employees in market services and construction felt a drop in their real salaries. At the same time, consumer prices of goods and services rose slightly in July, resulting in a slight acceleration of price growth after two months of stability.
Slovan Bratislava has advanced to the Champions League playoffs. It was decided by the rematch of the 3rd preliminary round with APOEL Nicosia from Cyprus. Slovan will battle to take part in the main stage of Champions League for the first time since the 2014/15 season. They now secured at least participation in the main part of the European League.
Slovakia saw an excessively hot week. On Friday, meteorologists warned of temperatures of up to 38 degrees Celsius in the south of Slovakia.
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