Celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising, new head of Slovak intelligence service appointed, but criticised and the new name of the parliament speaker still unknown as rumours about government reconstruction spread. Read our weekly news recap.
Two-day nationwide celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising began in Banská Bystrica on Wednesday. The first day was focused on military history clubs, convoys of historic vehicles in the city centre and meetings with veterans. Nationwide celebrations continued on Thursday with wreath layings, a military parade, a gala program and fireworks. Thousands of visitors came to Banská Bystrica to see the celebrations. The Slovak National Uprising was a deciding point in Slovak history.
President Peter Pellegrini appointed Pavol Gašpar as the new Director of the Slovak Intelligence Service. Prior to his appointment, Pavol Gašpar served as Deputy Director of the intelligence service and previously held the position of the deputy Justice Minister. According to Gašpar, he can guarantee he will act independently. He said this in connection with the fact that his father is currently being prosecuted, but he does not see that as a conflict of interest. His appointment has been heavily criticised by the opposition, pointing out his lack of experience among other things and they criticise the President for doing favours for PM Robert Fico and acting as his ally.There was a meeting of the coalition representatives this week; they were planning to discuss the election of the new speaker of the Parliament. Since Peter Pellegrini, who was the former speaker of the parliament, was elected President this May, there have been conflicts within the government about which party should be in control of this position. It previously belonged to Hlas SD but the Slovak National Party SNS is trying to get this position. A day before the meeting, PM Robert Fico stated that this issue is still not resolved after holding talks with the President. At the same time, there are confirmed rumours about a potential reconstruction of the government.
Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that he honored the memory of the soldiers who fell during the Second World War after the opening of a new front in Western Europe, in Normandy, in the North of France. The Foreign Minister and Defense Minister accompanied him. The PM recalled that he could not participate in the official celebrations of the Allied landings in Normandy in June as he was recovering from the injuries he suffered during the shooting in Handlová.
A court has rejected a request to be released from custody from the man accused of the attempted assassination of PM Robert Fico this past May. The judge complied with a motion of a prosecutor of the Prosecutor-General's Office and expanded the grounds for custody of the accused. At the beginning of July, the legal qualification was changed, and the accused is now being prosecuted for a terrorist attack rather than an attempted murder.
The Slovak National Party has submitted to Parliament a bill that includes the introduction of an obligation to publicly display the state flag on all state-owned buildings. This step is aimed at restricting the flying of the pride flag, as was included in the statement of the party. According to them, it leads to the polarisation of society and indirectly discriminates against individuals with a different opinion. The law also aims to strengthen the perception of state symbols.
The Slovak National Theatre will be temporarily directed by Zuzana Ťapáková, the Culture Minister appointed her this past Tuesday. The National Theatre has been without its director general since the culture minister dismissed the previous general director Matej Drlička on August 6. The economic director and director of the opera ensemble have resigned since, the employees criticised the Ministry for the lack of a director prior to the opening of the new season.
Opposition party Progresívne Slovensko has filed a motion with the Supreme Audit Office against the Minister, among the reasons was the dismissal of the former director general. The ministry stands by its legal position.
House Vice-chair Peter Žiga who is tasked with heading the House, and Ukraine's Naftogaz Utility General Director Oleksiy Chernyshov agreed on the need to seek economically and politically mutually acceptable solutions to the gas supplies via Ukraine, which other EU countries will support as well. The contract for the supply of gas from Russia to the EU through the territory of Ukraine will expire at the end of this year.
Schools are urgently seeking almost 15 hundred teachers and 12 principals just days before the start of the new school year, with the highest demand for mathematics teachers. The situation is particularly critical in western Slovakia. Non-teaching roles, particularly kitchen staff, are also in high demand, with over 60 vacancies and strong applicant interest.
Slovakia will buy six mobile air defence systems from Israel. The estimated price is over 550 million euros. The Slovak Ministry of Defence is expected to sign the intergovernmental agreement with the Israeli side by the end of October. This follows from the material approved by the government.
For the first time in its history, Slovan Bratislava, will participate in the prestigious Champions League after beating Danish Midtjylland on Wednesday in Bratislava.
