You’re reading Monday’s edition of Today in Slovakia. Welcome.
The country received an early Christmas present from the prime minister on Monday: a tunnel. Critics note — fairly — that it arrived several years late. Who’s to blame? Four-time Prime Minister Robert Fico is not pointing the finger at himself, or at Santa, but at one of his predecessors (who was in office for less than four years) and at the Public Procurement Office — an institution he is now threatening to abolish. (To borrow a line from Brenda from Bristol: “You’re joking — not another one!”)
Meanwhile, the Slovak internet is having fun. Not with the PM’s skating skills, but with the optics of skating through the new tunnel while the country struggles. Cue memes, plus a wave of “then and now” photos — 1998 versus today. (In May 1998, I was nearing the end of my first year of primary school. Today, I’m fully grown — and still being asked by my grandmother when I’m finally going to get married.)
**Anyone can play Santa. Novyny.sk, a Ukrainian-language news site helping refugees settle into life in Slovakia, needs support — and quickly. Here’s how you can help and donate.**
WHAT THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR HAD ON MONDAY US recalls its ambassador to Slovakia
PM Robert Fico talks to US Ambassador Gautam Rana in late November 2023. (source: Facebook – Robert Fico)
What happened: The United States is recalling its ambassador to Slovakia. Gautam Rana confirmed on Monday that he will leave his post in January, saying he remains proud of the work done to deepen bilateral ties — from security to energy — as well as the broader friendship between the two countries.
Why now: Rana’s departure is part of a wider reorganisation by Washington. According to the Associated Press, nearly 30 career diplomats are being recalled from ambassadorial or other senior posts worldwide, with Slovakia among the affected countries.
What Rana says: In his farewell remarks, Rana described it as an honour to serve in Bratislava and praised Slovakia’s transformation over the past three decades as “remarkable”. He said his tenure focused on building on those foundations rather than starting from scratch.
Rana the optimist: “I’ve always said I’m the most optimistic person in Slovakia. What this country has achieved over the past three decades is truly remarkable.”
Security and energy: Rana singled out Slovakia’s purchase of F-16 fighter jets, calling it a major boost to national security and NATO capabilities. He also highlighted recent progress on civilian nuclear cooperation, aimed at ensuring affordable, reliable and safe energy supplies in the years ahead. (Slovakia has yet to receive all of the jets, while the energy deal with US firm Westinghouse remains controversial, as the Fico government selected the company without a public tender.)
Beyond diplomacy: The outgoing ambassador also stressed the value of personal connections. He said he cherished meeting entrepreneurs, mayors, teachers, artists and students across the country — “from Tisovec to Pavlovce nad Uhom, and from Nitra to Humenné”.
What happens next: Rana arrived in Slovakia in September 2022 and has spent around three and a half years in the post, part of a 23-year diplomatic career. US ambassadors usually serve three to four years at the president’s discretion. Those recalled under the current reshuffle will return to Washington and may take up other roles, AP sources said.
Reaction: The head of the Slovak Pensioners’ Association, Michal Kotian, welcomed the departure of US Ambassador Rana, claiming partial credit for the move. He said a letter he sent to Donald Trump alleging interference by the US embassy and NGOs in Slovakia’s internal affairs may have contributed to the decision.
If you like what we’re doing and want to support good journalism, please buy our online subscription with no ads. We’ll mail a copy of The Slovak Spectator print edition to your home in Slovakia each month. Thank you!
In other news
-
Client-facing offices at document departments, traffic inspectorates and Interior Ministry client centres will operate on reduced hours on 31 December. The sites will be open from 8:00 to noon, police said on social media.
-
Lorry drivers will be allowed limited exemptions from holiday driving restrictions on Christmas Eve. Police said the exemption applies on 24 December from midnight to 9:00, and again from 16:00 to midnight, for freight vehicles entering Slovakia from selected neighbouring countries if their destination is in Slovakia, while officers retain the right to restrict or redirect traffic if needed for safety or traffic flow.
-
Austrian police launched a major manhunt after an armed bank robbery on Monday in Deutsch Jahrndorf, just kilometres from the Slovak border. Several border crossings with Slovakia were secured and a police helicopter was deployed near Kittsee, as two suspects who fled by car remained at large; no injuries were reported. (Markíza)
-
Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba (SNS nom.) has applied to register his surname — and the phrase Teraz Taraba (Taraba Now) — as a trademark, signalling a push to build a personal political brand alongside the launch of his own podcast. Legal experts say the move would not restrict journalists or other people named Taraba, as trademark protection applies only to commercial use, but it underlines the minister’s growing distance from the Slovak National Party (SNS) that brought him into government. (Aktuality)
Protesters gathered outside the Trnava regional authority on Monday to highlight the challenges faced by deaf people, calling for higher pay for sign language interpreters, better interpretation at regional events and improved conditions for access to services. (source: TASR – Lukáš Grinaj)
-
Piešťany will not host games at the 2026 U18 Ice Hockey World Championship after the town and the Slovak Ice Hockey Federation jointly decided to withdraw the venue amid a bizarre legal dispute over ownership of the stadium seats. With the risk of lawsuits — and ongoing concerns about the arena’s technical condition — organisers opted to move the games elsewhere, including to Bratislava. (Sport.sk)
-
A hockey game in the Slovak second-tier Tipos SHL between Detva and Skalica descended into chaos after the home side walked off the ice while trailing 0–3 in the 36th minute following a series of penalties. The decision by Detva coach and former Zvolen star Richard Šechný triggered a mass brawl involving players, staff and referees, forcing the game to be abandoned. (Joj Šport)
-
The European Union voiced full support for Denmark after the United States appointed Louisiana governor Jeff Landry as special envoy for Greenland, which is part of Danish territory. Brussels signalled solidarity with Copenhagen amid concerns over US moves linked to the strategically sensitive Arctic region. (France 24)
THE BRIGHT SIDE
IN THE WILD: Rare scenes from the Tatra wilderness show a female lynx calling her three cubs back to her. (TANAP)
SEASONAL SATIRE: Slovak politicians have been recast as Christmas market traders in an AI-generated series by satirical Instagram page Emefka, poking fun at their nicknames, gaffes and public personas. From PM Robert Fico selling chips to Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák running an “army shop”, the festive visuals have amused much of Slovakia.
FESTIVE STOP: A Christmas-themed tram shelter in Košice has been decorated with lights, holiday motifs and music to brighten commuters’ waits. Located at Námestie osloboditeľov, the Kaufland-sponsored stop even plays Christmas carols when passengers pull the handle. A similar shelter can be found in Bratislava, near the Capuchin Church.
TUESDAY’S FRONT PAGES
SME: Pellegrini shrugs off critics
Denník N: Interviews
Pravda: Wishing you a peaceful and happy Christmas
HN: Tunnel saga: drivers waited up to 10,076 days for Višňové
Tuesday weather: Cloudy to overcast with mist in places, patchy drizzle or rain, and snow above around 600 metres later in the day. Highs of 2–7°C, closer to 0°C in Orava and in the Tatras region. (SHMÚ)
Snow report: See which ski centres are open — and what conditions to expect — before you go.
Name day: Nadežda.
That’s all from me today. I’ll be back on Tuesday for the final edition before we take a Christmas break.
P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.
Follow The Slovak Spectator on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram(@slovakspectator).
Join our newsletter family and never miss a Slovak moment: Today in Slovakia | Last Week in Slovakia | Slovak Science| Spectacular Slovakia | Slovak Roots