Good evening. Here is the Tuesday, August 12 edition of Today in Slovakia – the main news of the day in just a few minutes.
Kamenický or Kažimír? The struggle to lead Slovakia’s central bank
Peter Kažimír (l), pictured alongside Peter Pellegrini, who was then prime minister, on June 3, 2019. (NBS). (source: Jozef Jakubčo)
The fight over who will be governor of the central bank, the National Bank of Slovakia (NBS), has begun. Prime Minister Robert Fico is trying to force out the current governor – Peter Kažimír – in favour of the current finance minister, Ladislav Kamenický (Smer), the Politico website reports.
With Peter Kažimír’s first term as governor of the National Bank of Slovakia technically over, the financial news portal oPeniazoch.sk also reports that speculation is growing about his potential successor. Like Politico, the portal says that Kamenický is in line to take the job.
A SIMILAR SCENARIO: Peter Kažimír took over the role on July 1, 2019. Previously, Kažimír was a deputy prime minister and finance minister. He was approved for the highest position at the central bank by MPs on December 6, 2018. The governor’s term at the National Bank of Slovakia (NBS) is six years. As finance minister until 2019, Kažimír was and remains closer to Peter Pellegrini than to Robert Fico, Plus Jeden Deň reported.
Kažimír’s term officially ended in June this year but he remains in office pending the appointment of a replacement. The Hlas party insists the coalition agreement gives it the right to nominate the next governor. The fight comes amid critical talks on cutting Slovakia’s budget deficit — the second highest in the eurozone — in order to avoid EU penalties.
Fico reportedly views Kažimír as a “traitor” for having joined Pellegrini to form Hlas in their split from Fico’s Smer party five years ago.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that Kažimír was convicted on high-level bribery charges in May. He was sentenced to a €200,000 fine and a one-year suspended jail sentence but has refused to step down and is appealing his conviction.
Related article
Slovak central bank chief found guilty of bribery
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IT COULD BE (EVEN) WORSE: Despite his conviction, and the resulting national shame of Slovakia now being represented at high-level European and global financial gatherings by a convicted fraudster, Kažimír still retains some domestic support – in part thanks to what bank employees and insiders see as the even more dismal alternative.
“[Even] people who … are really embarrassed by the conviction would like him to stay, because as a governor he’s much better than Kamenický,” Politico quotes an unnamed former MP as saying.
HARD SELL: Since parliament is unlikely to approve Kažimír for another term and Fico is waiting until after contentious budget negotiations to push Kamenický forward, the stand-off promises to drag on for months – leaving the central bank’s (metaphorical) stock trading ever lower.
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Business: Discount fashion store Primark saw its sales in Slovakia rise to €18.8 million in 2024, but the retailer, whose only Slovak outlet is in Bratislava, posted a loss of over €1 million.
Authoritarian threat: Slovakia faces its deepest political division and has experienced its steepest democratic decline since the 1990s, according to the latest edition of the V-Dem index. Researchers warn that the country is now dangerously close to slipping into authoritarian rule under Prime Minister Robert Fico’s government.
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FEATURE STORY
Re-cycling the Iron Curtain
The confluence of the Dyje and Morava rivers, where three countries meet – Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia – has a special charm. (source: BSK)
Cycle past rivers, castles and quiet forests – all while tracing a path that once meant life or death. The Slovak section of EuroVelo 13, also known as the Iron Curtain Trail, offers more than 90 kilometres of smooth cycling and stark reminders of a divided Europe. Along the way, you’ll find stories of daring escapes, tragic ends, and a history that’s almost impossible to imagine today.
EVENT
Techno yoga in Bratislava
Techno yoga (source: Eventland)
How about a combination of yoga and techno? Sounds strange – but it’s a thing! In fact, the rhythmic beats of techno or deep house music in combination with asana might just be the best way to round off your day. Come to WeMove, on Dvořákovo Nábrežie, tomorrow (Wednesday, August 13) at 18:00. Bring a towel, a yoga mat and a good mood. More details can be found here.
IN OTHER NEWS
The new director of the Emergency Medical Service Operational Centre (OS ZZS) is Jozef Hricka. On Tuesday, Health Minister Kamil Šaško (Hlas) appointed him to the post following the resignation of the previous officeholder in the wake of the ongoing scandal over a multi-billion tender to operate ambulance stations. Veronika Daničová, spokesperson for the OS ZZS, informed the TASR newswire of the appointment. (TASR)
A total of 24 Western countries, including Slovakia, have jointly called for an end to famine in the Gaza Strip, stressing the need for a ceasefire, an end to the war, and the release of hostages. In a statement signed by 17 EU member states and countries including Australia, Canada, Japan, Norway, Switzerland and the UK, leaders warned that “humanitarian suffering in Gaza has reached unimaginable levels” and urged Israel to allow all aid deliveries. They demanded immediate measures to ensure safe and large-scale access for the UN and aid organisations, calling for all border crossings to be used for food, water, medicine and other supplies. Germany did not sign the statement, despite recently halting arms exports to Israel. (TASR)
Bratislava police are investigating a scam in which a woman lost nearly €3,000 and jewellery. A caller posed as a police officer, claiming her son had caused a fatal accident. She was told to pay “bail” and handed the valuables to a man outside her building. She later discovered her son was safe and had not been in an accident. Police stated that they never request money in this way and are urging people to report instances of suspected fraud by calling 158. (TASR)
The state has allocated €14.8 million to further support employees of Hornonitrianske Bane, a coal mining company in western Slovakia who are losing their jobs. Before brown coal mining ended in December 2023, the company employed 1,400 people; the number is now 370. The funds will be used to pay for severance and redundancy packages, cover underground safety works linked to the closure of production units, and finance the costs of dismantling and land reclamation at former mining sites. (Denník N)
Slovakia’s under-17 women’s handball team returned home as surprise European champions, greeted by fans even in the middle of the night at Vienna Airport. Players expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and sudden media attention, with many Slovaks following the tournament despite rarely watching handball. Coach Pavol Streicher called it a “two-week handball boom”, rejecting talk of a “miracle” and stressing the team’s hard work, tactics, and determination. (Denník N)
From right: Scarlet Špendlová, Anežka Stránska, Barbora Karkušová, Zara Gogolová and Liliana Gogová, members of Slovakia’s gold-winning U17 women’s handball team. (source: Pavel Neubauer)
WEATHER FOR WEDNESDAY: Sunny and very hot, with daytime temperatures climbing to between 30°C and 35°C. The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ) has issued a Level 1 heat warning for Bratislava, Trenčín, Košice, Trnava and Prešov regions. A Level 2 warning is in effect for Nitra and Banská Bystrica Regions. Stay cool, drink lots and use sun protection! (SHMÚ)
AUGUST 13 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Tomorrow it’s Ľubomír’s day to celebrate – send your best wishes to all those Ľubomírs in your life!
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