Slovakia

Gunman who shot Slovakia’s Fico handed 21 years in prison

A Slovak court on Tuesday sentenced Juraj Cintula, a 72-year-old poet and activist, to 21 years in prison for terrorism after he shot Prime Minister Robert Fico. Cintula’s attorney told…

Read More Here

Slovakia and Austria Block EU Sanctions Deal on Russia

Slovakia and Austria have emerged as the main obstacles preventing a new round of European Union sanctions against Russia, ahead of next week’s EU summit. Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico…

Read More Here

Slovak opposition says PM Fico undermining EU membership, Fico warns of protests

Slovakia's opposition accused Prime Minister Robert Fico of laying the groundwork to take the country out of the European Union, but dropped its no-confidence motion to dismiss him and his…

Read More Here

Slovak PM meets Putin in surprise Moscow visit

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico has made a surprise visit to Moscow for talks with Vladimir Putin - becoming only the third Western leader to meet the Russian leader since…

Read More Here

Slovak PM Fico says fight against illegal migration an absolute priority

The fight against illegal migration into the European Union is an absolute priority, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Tuesday after meeting Hungarian and Serbian leaders at a summit.…

Read More Here

Slovakia gets first new F-16s to boost air defence

Slovakia received on Monday the first two of 14 new F-16 fighter jets that will replace Russian-made planes it had already donated to Ukraine. Slovakia has relied on central European…

Read More Here

Slovak PM Fico eyes return to work after shooting

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico called the man who attacked him an activist of opposition parties, in his first comments since an assassination attempt on his life. Fico was shot…

Read More Here

Slovak prime minister Fico’s health improving

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's condition after an assassination attempt earlier this month is improving, the government and hospital said on Monday. An attacker hit Fico with four bullets at…

Read More Here

Slovakia shooting suspect says he wanted to hurt Fico, not kill him

The man detained over the shooting of Robert Fico said he had wanted to hurt the Slovak prime minister because he disagreed with government policies and used a gun he…

Read More Here

Slovak PM Fico’s attacker may not have acted alone

The suspect in an assassination attempt on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico may not have been just a "lone wolf" as previously believed, the interior minister said on Sunday, as…

Read More Here

UPDATED: Fico remains in a serious but stable condition

Slovak doctors will meet on Monday to assess Prime Minister Robert Fico's health and discuss the possibility of transporting him from Banska Bystrica to the capital Bratislava, local media reported…

Read More Here

UPDATED – Slovak PM Robert Fico Survives Assassination Attempt

Update 1411 Reuters reports that the suspect in Fico’s assassination attempt acted alone and had previously taken part in anti-government protests, according to the country’s interior minister. Matus Sutaj Estok described…

Read More Here

Slovakia will not implement new EU migration rules

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico refused to implement the European Union's new migration system in his country, a sign that tensions around the matter are set to remain high despite…

Read More Here

Pellegrini wins Slovak presidential election in boost for pro-Russian PM Fico

By Radovan Stoklasa and Jan Lopatka Slovak nationalist-left government candidate Peter Pellegrini won the country's presidential election over the weekend, cementing the grip of pro-Russian Prime Minister Robert Fico over…

Read More Here

Slovaks pick between Fico ally and pro-Western diplomat for president

By Eva Korinkova Slovaks go to the polls on Saturday to pick a new president, choosing between pro-Western opposition candidate Ivan Korcok and Peter Pellegrini running for the ruling nationalist…

Read More Here

Slovaks vote in presidential election that might bolster PM Fico

March 23 (Reuters) - Slovaks vote in a presidential election on Saturday that could strengthen Prime Minister Robert Fico's grip on power as he seeks more control over public media,…

Read More Here

Slovakia scraps graft prosecution unit despite EU criticism

By Gabriela Baczynska BRUSSELS, March 20 (Reuters) - Slovakia dismantled its dedicated state graft prosecution unit on Wednesday despite European Union concerns, but seemed unlikely to face anytime soon hefty…

Read More Here

Slovak PM says some Western states consider bilateral deals to send troops to Ukraine

Several NATO and European Union members are considering sending soldiers to Ukraine on a bilateral basis, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Monday. Fico, who has long opposed military…

Read More Here

Slovak PM reaffirms support for Ukraine’s EU membership bid

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico reaffirmed support for Kyiv's bid to join the European Union at talks in Ukraine on Wednesday, but said policy differences remained on issues including NATO…

Read More Here

Slovak ruling coalition’s Pellegrini to run for president, sets vote for March

Slovak parliament speaker Peter Pellegrini on Monday called a presidential election for March and April this year and said he planned to run to replace retiring pro-western liberal opponent Zuzana…

Read More Here

Slovak FinMin: we are on Greek path in terms of rising debt

(Reuters) - Slovakia is on a Greek path in terms of rising debt and interest rates and turning the trend will be tough, the country's new finance minister Ladislav Kamenicky…

Read More Here

New Slovak government eyes tax, spending hikes, slow deficit reduction

Slovakia's new government plans to raise multiple taxes, including on banks, to fund pension and other spending rises and slowly cut the euro zone's highest budget deficit under a programme…

Read More Here

New Slovak government rejects final military aid package for Ukraine

Nov 8 (Reuters) - Slovakia's new government rejected on Wednesday a previously drafted plan to donate rockets and ammunition to Ukraine, following through on a pledge by incoming Prime Minister…

Read More Here

Slovak PM Fico: no obstacles to private weapons exports

Nov 6 (Reuters) - Slovakia's new Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has pledged to halt the country's military aid for neighbouring Ukraine, said on Monday he had no intention of…

Read More Here

Slovakia’s Fico calls for guarantees on EU aid to Ukriane

Oct 27 (Reuters) - New Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has told other European Union leaders that 50 billion euros in EU aid to Ukraine should include guarantees that the…

Read More Here

UPDATED: Slovakia’s Fico will not support more military aid to Ukraine at EU summit

Oct 26 (Reuters) - Slovakia's newly appointed Prime Minister Robert Fico will not back further military aid for Ukraine nor support further sanctions against Russia at his first European Union…

Read More Here

Slovak ex-pm Fico to take government reins for fourth time on Wednesday

(Reuters) - Slovakia's president will appoint a new government on Wednesday led by three-time leftist prime minister Robert Fico, who won a Sept. 30 election with pledges to end military…

Read More Here

Slovakia president sets condition to appoint ex-PM Fico’s cabinet

Slovak President Zuzana Caputova will only appoint a cabinet led by pro-Russian former prime minister Robert Fico if he changes his nominee to be environment minister, her office said. The…

Read More Here

Slovakia’s populist ex-PM Fico seals coalition deal for new government

Slovak former prime minister Robert Fico and his SMER-SSD party signed a coalition deal on Monday to form a new government expected to go slow on cutting high deficits and…

Read More Here

Undeterred by border checks, illegal migrants arrive in Slovakia

By Krisztina Than NITRA, Slovakia (Reuters) - Illegal migrants kept arriving at a police registration centre in southern Slovakia this week, as border controls imposed by the government appeared not…

Read More Here

Slovakia halts Ukraine aid

Slovakia’s caretaker government said it has halted sending further military aid to Ukraine as political parties that oppose such support are in talks to form a coalition following last weekend’s…

Read More Here

Slovakia tightens controls on Hungary border as migrant arrivals rise

By Radovan Stoklasa SKALITE, Slovakia (Reuters) - Slovakia moved on Wednesday to impose temporary controls on its border with Hungary over a rising number of illegal migrants, after Poland, the…

Read More Here

Slovakia’s Fico: border checks with Hungary a priority for new government

BRATISLAVA, (Reuters) - Slovakia needs to restart border controls with Hungary to stem the flow of illegal migrants, election winner Robert Fico said, flagging the issue as one of his…

Read More Here

Slovak coalition talks to start after ex-PM Fico’s election win

By Jan Lopatka and Jason Hovet BRATISLAVA, Oct 1 (Reuters) - Slovakia's Robert Fico, who won an election after pledging to end military aid to Ukraine, was in pole position…

Read More Here

Pro-Russian ex-PM Fico wins Slovak election, needs allies for government

By Jan Lopatka and Jason Hovet BRATISLAVA, Oct 1 (Reuters) - Slovakia's leftist former Prime Minister Robert Fico beat his progressive rival in a parliamentary election after campaigning to end…

Read More Here

Slovakia election: what are the main issues?

By Jan Lopatka (Reuters) - Slovakia's three-time prime minister Robert Fico is seeking a return to power in a Sept. 30 election, with final opinion polls showing his SMER-SSD party…

Read More Here

Slovakia’s liberal PS party edges ahead before Sept 30 election – AKO poll

Sept 27 (Reuters) - The Slovak liberal party Progresivne Slovensko edged marginally ahead of the SMER-SSD of former prime minister Robert Fico in the final poll from AKO agency before…

Read More Here

Slovak SMER party’s lead shrinks as rival PS jumps before Sept 30 election -IPSOS poll

Sept 27 (Reuters) - Slovak opposition party SMER-SSD, led by former prime minister Robert Fico, held a narrowing lead over its liberal challenger Progresivne Slovensko ahead of a Sept. 30…

Read More Here

Slovak election hopeful Fico: ‘illusory’ to deal with Ukraine’s EU membership now

Robert Fico, the former Slovak prime minister tipped to win this weekend's election, said neighbouring Ukraine's accession to the European Union was a far-off prospect due to the ongoing war,…

Read More Here

‘Not a single round’: Slovak election could see Kyiv lose staunch ally

By Jan Lopatka and Radovan Stoklasa Slovakia gears up for election after polarising campaign Frontrunner, ex-prime minister Fico, is pro-Russian populist A win could see NATO and EU member turn…

Read More Here

Slovakia’s SMER party holds lead before Sept. 30 election -poll

Sept 21 (Reuters) - Slovak opposition party SMER-SSD, led by former prime minister Robert Fico, slightly increased its lead over its liberal challenger Progresivne Slovensko before a Sept. 30 election,…

Read More Here

Slovakia’s SMER party seen with narrowing lead before Sept 30 election -poll

(Reuters) - Slovak opposition party SMER-SDD, led by former prime minister Robert Fico, held a shrinking lead over its liberal challenger Progresivne Slovensko before a Sept. 30 election, according to…

Read More Here

Slovaks to send up to 500 soldiers to help control migrants crossing from Hungary

Slovakia will assign up to 500 soldiers to help police control an increasing flow of migrants coming across the border from Hungary, Prime Minister Ludovit Odor announced. Slovakia has seen…

Read More Here

ECB’s Kazimir states innocence as Slovak bribery trial starts

July 3 (Reuters) - Slovak central bank chief and European Central Bank rate setter Peter Kazimir pleaded innocent to bribery charges on Monday in a trial that could put a…

Read More Here

Slovak president Caputova will not seek second term

Slovak President Zuzana Caputova, a liberal voice in the European Union country's polarised politics, will not seek reelection for a second term next year, she said. The former human rights…

Read More Here

Anger after Slovak court acquits businessman in murder of journalist Jan Kuciak

By Robert Muller and Jan Lopatka (Reuters) - A Slovak court on Friday cleared a businessman for the second time of orchestrating the 2018 murder of an investigative journalist, in…

Read More Here

Slovakian president picks technocrat government after prime minister quits

By Radovan Stoklasa and Jason Hovet BRATISLAVA (Reuters) - Slovak President Zuzana Caputova picked central bank Deputy Governor Ludovit Odor to lead a technocrat government after caretaker Prime Minister Eduard…

Read More Here

Slovak foreign minister quits in fresh blow to ailing cabinet

Slovakia's foreign minister offered his resignation on Friday, the president said, dealing a fresh blow to the centre-right cabinet which has already been serving in a caretaker capacity ahead of…

Read More Here

Slovakia hands over all 13 promised MiG fighter jets to Ukraine

April 17 (Reuters) - Slovakia has handed over all 13 MiG-29 fighter jets it had pledged to Ukraine, the Slovak Defence Ministry said on Monday. Slovakia joined Poland in promising…

Read More Here

Slovak PM calls on central bank Governor Kazimir to resign

April 13 (Reuters) - The Slovak prime minister urged Peter Kazimir to resign as central bank governor in a Facebook post on Thursday after a court said it had convicted…

Read More Here

Photo Story: The International Space Station (ISS) passes in front of the Moon

The International Space Station (ISS) passes in front of the Moon as captured near Buzitka, southern Slovakia. Via EPA-EFE/Peter Komka

Read More Here

Slovakia joins Poland in sending MIG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine

March 17 (Reuters) - Slovakia on Friday became the second of Ukraine's allies to provide MIG-29 fighter jets which Kyiv believes are crucial to repel Russia's year-long invasion. Slovakia joined…

Read More Here

Slovakia can start talks on sending MIG-29 jets to Ukraine -PM

(Reuters) - Slovakia can start the process of talks on delivering MIG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine now once Kyiv has officially asked for the planes, Prime Minister Eduard Heger said.…

Read More Here

Slovak parliament opens way to September early election

Jan 25 (Reuters) - Slovak lawmakers approved a change in the constitution on Wednesday which allows the parliament to shorten its term, paving the way for an early election in…

Read More Here

Slovakia’s former coalition heads agree to early parliamentary elections

PRAGUE (Reuters) - Slovakia will hold early parliamentary elections on Sept. 30 after the leaders of the country's previous coalition government agreed on a constitutional change to bring forward the…

Read More Here

Referendum in Slovakia fails to bring early vote closer

Jan 22 (Reuters) - A referendum in Slovakia failed to open a path to early elections after most voters avoided the polling stations on Saturday, quashing the opposition's plan to…

Read More Here

Slovak PM agrees to early election

(Reuters) - Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger said he would start discussions on holding early elections after his attempt to find a majority in parliament following a lost no-confidence vote…

Read More Here