Mysterious deaths in Ružomberok, GIEZI raids and Taraba crisis: weekly roundup
The week in Slovakia was marked by unclear deaths in Ružomberok, a police operation GIEZI with ten arrests, and a dispute over the dismissal of minister Taraba.
Unclear deaths, major raid and coalition tensions dominated the past week
As Aktuality reports, the past week brought several serious events – from mysterious deaths in Ružomberok through a large-scale police operation to further strains in the government coalition.
Deaths in Ružomberok without definitive conclusion
Two men died in Ružomberok in quick succession, with media initially reporting confirmation of methanol poisoning in both cases. The Central Military Hospital SNP in Ružomberok, however, corrected this information: both patients were admitted through the internal emergency department and died from an imbalance of the internal environment. The presence of methanol has not yet been confirmed.
The case remains open. Final conclusions will depend on the results of the investigation and expert assessments, with the hospital emphasising the need for caution in interpreting the causes of death.
Police operation GIEZI: ten arrests across five regions
On Wednesday, police launched a large-scale operation codenamed GIEZI, focused on suspected serious property crime. The raid took place simultaneously at multiple locations in Slovakia – in Považie, Trnava and Bratislava.
Over one hundred police officers from various units participated in the operation, working in the Bratislava, Trnava, Trenčín, Žilina and Košice regions. Ten persons were arrested. Investigators have not yet provided more detailed information, as procedural actions are still ongoing. The case suggests possible large-scale dimensions of the suspected investment project, in which fraud may have occurred.
Kollár on politics without restraint: apology to Čurill was insincere
Boris Kollár openly commented on the current political situation and future coalition scenarios in a video interview. He criticised Robert Fico, Andrej Danko and Tomáš Taraba and hinted at how he envisions his further role in politics.
His statement attracted significant attention that his apology to Ján Čurill was, by his own admission, insincere. He also stated that in a possible future coalition, neither Čurill's return nor prosecutors from the ÚŠP would pass through him. The interview also touched on topics such as social populism, election preferences and housing policy.
Controversial nomination to Energetika Slovensko
The Foundation for a Stop to Corruption drew attention to another problematic nomination by the economy ministry – this time to the supervisory board of Energetika Slovensko. Following previous criticism of the nomination of a Košice beautician, attention turned to Jaroslav Breznen.
According to the foundation, he is an independently operating farmer engaged in goat farming and timber processing, although he has an engineering degree. The non-governmental organisation is calling on Denisa Saková's ministry to disclose his professional and management experience that qualified him for this position. The case again raises questions about the transparency of personnel selection in state companies.
Taraba and the President's hesitation
President Peter Pellegrini confirmed that he received a proposal from Prime Minister Robert Fico to dismiss environment minister Tomáš Taraba. However, he is delaying the decision until after his return from an official trip to the United States, where he will participate in the United Nations General Assembly.
Until his return, communication with the Prime Minister is to continue about who could temporarily manage the environment ministry. The entire situation stems from a long-standing conflict within the SNS party, which has called for Taraba's departure and is promoting Filip Kuffa as a possible successor. Moreover, Taraba has suggested that if he were to return to parliament, he would not automatically support the coalition – which could further threaten the stability of the government.
Feast of the Seven Sorrows without working rest from 2026
The Feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary remains an official holiday, but from 2026 it will no longer be a day of working rest. The change was brought about by a law adopted in connection with public finances consolidation. A similar adjustment previously affected 8 May, the Day of Victory over Fascism.
The Seven Sorrows Virgin Mary is the main patroness of Slovakia and her veneration has roots spanning centuries. Thousands of believers journey to Šaštín each year, but the practical impact of the holiday on the work calendar will change from next year onwards.
Commentary: Voice as Fico's "bag-carrier"
Commentary by Peter Bárdos published in the past week sharply assesses the position of the Voice party in the government coalition. According to the author, the party has become merely an extended arm of Prime Minister Robert Fico – drawing also on an expression Peter Pellegrini himself used in the past.
According to Bárdos, Voice lost its vision, strategy and clear reason for existence after entering government. The party, which aspired to become a modern European social democracy, today submissively accepts Fico's decisions according to the commentary. Declining support and the departure of some voters suggest that the coming year could be crucial for the future of Voice in top-level politics.
Source: Aktuality