Stories from Slovakia

Slovaks have initiated an uprising against the government of Tisa. The movement comes as military forces press the borders of Czechoslovakia. German forces are reportedly attempting to reclaim a city in the region. The conflict involves tank concentrations near strategic road junctions and mountain passes. Slovak citizens have begun an uprising against the government led by Tisa. A strong uprising has begun against the Tisa government in Slovakia. The report indicates German forces are moving from the west to seize key road junctions to assist a northern group. The situation remains developing according to the broadcast.

Francesco Calzona is no longer the head coach of the Slovakia national football team. The 57-year-old former Napoli and Karpaty Lviv coach rejected a two-year contract extension proposal from the football association. His contract expired on March 31. Calzona had held the position since August 2022. His final match was a 2-0 friendly victory against Romania.

The director of Slovak Radio and Television has been dismissed following a decision by the Ministry of Culture. This action is part of a restructuring that includes new leadership for the public broadcaster. The first strike was initiated by members of the strike committee, and other committee members are now losing their jobs.

The Slovak Republic has reported a reduction in fraudulent sick leave claims, leading to savings of 80 million euros in the first quarter compared to 2024. This decrease suggests improved oversight or a decline in illegitimate claims.

The broadcast of the Slovakian film awards was cancelled after officials decided not to air the ceremony live. This decision followed concerns regarding potential criticism from the government during the event. In response, numerous prominent actors have refused to cooperate with state television. This boycott has resulted in a shortage of talent for upcoming television series productions.

A business owned by the family of Slovakian politician Babiš has been fined 21 million euros.

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that the conflict in Ukraine has no military solution and must be resolved through diplomacy. Fico's comments follow reports from the EU regarding the resumption of Russian oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline to Slovakia and Hungary. The pipeline had been blocked by Kyiv since late January due to reported damages. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a phone call to discuss visits between Kyiv and Bratislava. Zelensky stated the importance of strong relations between their countries and expressed that Slovakia supports Ukraine's membership in the European Union. Both leaders announced the discussion on their social media.

Demonstrators are marching through Bratislava to protest the administration of Robert Fico. The protests are driven by concerns regarding pro-Russian foreign policy, corruption, and interference in the judiciary and police. Additionally, protesters are reacting to recent government actions affecting media and cultural independence.

The European Commission has taken formal action following long-standing warnings regarding systemic problems and suspected fraud in the distribution of EU funds within Slovakia. This move aims to address governance issues and ensure the integrity of European financial resources. The investigation could lead to significant changes in how regional funds are managed.