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☆ Slovaks Vote in Presidential Election That Might Bolster PM Fico
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-22 | by ( March | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

(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, softer anti-corruption laws and a dissenting voice to EU support for Ukraine. Polls are open in the first round of voting from 7:00 a.m. (0600 GMT) until 10:00 p.m. (2100 GMT). A run-off between the top two candidates is due on April 6 if no one wins a majority this weekend. Pellegrini, a former prime minister and member of Fico's leftist, ruling SMER party and now the head of junior coalition partner HLAS, is hoping to duplicate that success. Caputova won the last presidential election in 2019, riding an anti-corruption wave aimed at Fico's party, which was in power then.

Persons: Robert Fico's, Fico's, Peter Pellegrini, Zuzana Caputova, Fico, Pellegrini, HLAS, Ivan Korcok, Caputova, Korcok, Jason Hovet, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Reuters, Ukraine, EU, Constitutional, RTVS Locations: Ukraine, Moscow, Russian, Kyiv, Prague

☆ Hungarian Opposition Seeks Extraordinary Session of Parliament on Sweden NATO Bid
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Boldizsar GyoriBUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungarian opposition parties submitted a motion on Monday calling for an extraordinary session of parliament on Feb. 5 to ratify Sweden's application to join NATO. Hungary is the only country in the 31-member Atlantic alliance yet to ratify Sweden's application. Turkey completed its approval last week, some 20 months after Stockholm applied to join NATO following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. But parliamentary speaker Laszlo Kover said there was no urgency for any extraordinary move to ratify Sweden's NATO accession and suggested that opposition attempts at an extra session would be likely to fail. Hungary's parliament is not currently in session, but NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said last Friday he expected the assembly to ratify Sweden's accession at the end of February after it reconvenes.

Persons: Zita Gurmai, Gurmai, Viktor Orban, Vladimir Putin, Laszlo Kover, Jens Stoltenberg, Orban, Boldizsar Gyori, Jason Hovet, Timothy Heritage Organizations: Gyori, NATO, Atlantic, Reuters, Fidesz, Christian Democrat, Sweden's, Union Locations: Gyori BUDAPEST, Hungary, Turkey, Stockholm, Ukraine, Hungarian, Brussels

☆ Slovak Lawmakers to Fast-Track Criminal Law Reforms Debate Despite Objections
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) - Slovakia's parliament will fast-track debate on government plans to scrap a special prosecutor's office fighting corruption and lower sentences for financial crimes after ruling lawmakers approved the move on Thursday despite objections. Opposition parties had delayed the vote on whether to fast-track the criminal law reforms for weeks, looking to slow Prime Minister Robert Fico's changes that they argue will afford impunity for politicians and business leaders linked to him. Pushing the reforms on a faster track has also raised warnings from the European Union and United States. Opposition parties have led near weekly protests drawing tens of thousands, with another string of rallies planned for Thursday evening. Slovakia's special prosecutor's office, around for two decades, has been in Fico's sights since he won a September election and returned to power.

Persons: Robert Fico's, Fico, Zuzana Caputova, Caputova, Jason Hovet, Nick Macfie Organizations: Reuters, European Union, European Commission, Brussels, USP Locations: United States, Hungary, Poland, Prague

☆ Slovak Parliament Chief Confirms Presidential Bid, Facing Ex-Foreign Minister
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Jason Hovet(Reuters) - Slovak parliament chief Peter Pellegrini, leader of the second-biggest party in the government coalition, confirmed on Friday that he would run in a March presidential election. Pellegrini, a prime minister in 2018-2020 and former member of Fico's SMER party, has seen a shrinking poll lead against his closest contender - Ivan Korcok, who was foreign minister in a previous government led by opposition forces. A second round in the likely case that no candidate wins an outright majority is on April 6. Pellegrini leads Korcok 40.6% to 37.7% in an AKO agency poll released on Thursday. Pellegrini led the government until anti-corruption parties won a 2020 election.

Persons: Jason Hovet, Peter Pellegrini, Robert Fico, Pellegrini, Fico's, Ivan Korcok, Zuzana Caputova, Korcok, Fico, Hugh Lawson Organizations: European Union Locations: Korcok, AKO, Prague

☆ EU Lawmakers Raise Alarm Over Slovakia's Criminal Law Reforms
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) - European Union lawmakers said on Wednesday they had "deep concern" over Slovakia's planned criminal code changes and shutting a special prosecutor's office, piling on criticism of the government's plan to fast-track the changes. The European Parliament, in a resolution approved by 496 of the 630 lawmakers who voted, said the changes needed more scrutiny and called on the European Commission to take action "to safeguard the rule of law and judicial independence". Slovak President Zuzana Caputova has threatened to veto the legislation, although Fico's government will be able to override her move. According to Slovak media, 40 people have been sentenced while another 130 are being investigated or tried. The EU's justice commissioner Didier Reynders said in mid-December the Commission could take action against Slovakia if it enacts criminal law changes that violate EU laws.

Persons: Robert Fico's, Zuzana Caputova, Didier Reynders, Jan Kuciak, Fico, Daniel Lipsic, Jason Hovet, Ros Russell Organizations: Reuters, Union, European Commission, European Union, The, USP Locations: Western, Poland, Hungary, United States, EU, Slovak, Slovakia, Prague

☆ Slovak truckers to block Ukraine crossing, joining Polish protests
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Yan Dobronosov/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 29 (Reuters) - Slovak truckers will block the main border crossing with Ukraine from Friday, the country's truckers association UNAS said, joining Polish protests to win restrictions against Ukrainian drivers. Polish truckers have been blocking several crossings with Ukraine since Nov. 6 to demand tougher conditions for Ukrainian peers. Polish and Slovak truckers complain Ukrainian truckers offer cheaper prices for their services and also transport goods within the European Union, rather than just between the bloc and Ukraine. They say their business has been undercut since truckers from Ukraine gained exemptions from seeking permits to cross following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Polish truckers started protests this month, demanding the EU reintroduce a permit system for Ukrainian truckers entering the bloc and for EU truckers entering Ukraine, with exemptions for humanitarian aid and military supplies.

Persons: Yan, UNAS, Vysne Nemecke, Transport Adina Valean, Jason Hovet, Sandra Maler Organizations: REUTERS, European Union, EU, Transport, Thomson Locations: Poland, Ukraine, Korczowa, Slovakia, Kyiv, Prague

☆ Czech gunmaker Colt CZ makes offer for Vista Outdoor
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Jason Hovet | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Visitors look at firearms from Colt CZ Group at the Milipol Paris, the worldwide exhibition dedicated to homeland security and safety, in Villepinte near Paris, France, November 15, 2023. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPRAGUE, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Czech gunmaker Colt CZ Group (CZG.PR) has made a cash-and-stock merger offer to Vista Outdoor (VSTO.N), valuing the U.S. sporting and outdoor goods group's shares at a 16% premium. Colt CZ said it proposed keeping the company together, scrapping plans to separate Vista at this time. Colt CZ, along with a majority shareholder and its chairman, together acquired more than 5% of Vista shares, they announced in October. Colt CZ shares fell around 3% at the Prague open on Thursday but had recovered to trade nearly 1% higher by 1053 GMT.

Persons: Sarah Meyssonnier, Colt CZ's, Vista, Colt, Jason Hovet, Mark Potter Organizations: Colt CZ, REUTERS, Rights, Vista, Czechoslovak Group, Czechoslovak, Colt, CSG, Thomson Locations: Paris, Villepinte, France, Czech, U.S, Vista, Prague

☆ Hungary Gets Ukrainian Truck Queues as Protests Clog Polish, Slovak Crossings
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

In Slovakia, the main border crossing with Ukraine was also blocked on Tuesday, although the country's haulers' union called it the action of a single truck. The group has still warned it could join Polish truckers in protest. The spillover of long border queues hit Hungary on Wednesday, with the main border crossing, Zahony, seeing long queues of trucks waiting to enter Ukraine. Polish truckers will also begin blocking the Medyka crossing together with farmers on Thursday, a protest organizer said. On Sunday, Ukrainian authorities said about 3,000 mostly Ukrainian trucks, including those carrying fuel and humanitarian aid, were stuck on the Polish side of the border.

Persons: haulers, Trucks, Dennik, Boldizsar Gyori, Jason Hovet, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Truckers, European Union, Authorities, Hungarian Tax, Customs Authority, EU Locations: BUDAPEST, Ukraine, Poland, Slovakia, Slovak, Hungarian

☆ Hungary gets Ukrainian truck queues as protests clog Polish, Slovak crossings
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Persons: haulers, Trucks, Dennik, Boldizsar Gyori, Jason Hovet, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Truckers, European Union, Authorities, Hungarian Tax, Customs Authority, EU, Thomson Locations: BUDAPEST, Ukraine, Poland, Slovakia, Slovak, Hungarian

☆ Slovak parliament confirms government promising to halt Ukraine military aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Slovakia's newly appointed Prime Minister Robert Fico attends the new cabinet's inauguration, at the Presidential Palace in Bratislava, Slovakia, October 25, 2023. REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 21 (Reuters) - Slovakia's parliament confirmed Prime Minister Robert Fico's government on Tuesday, backing a policy agenda that promises to halt state military aid to Ukraine, slowly reduce budget deficits and impose a new bank tax. Fico's governing coalition combines his leftist, socially conservative SMER-SSD party with a smaller leftist party and a small nationalist party. The coalition adopted its policy programme last week, and parliament supported it in a vote of confidence on Tuesday. The programme promises a special tax on banking profits and measures to cut interest rates on mortgages.

Persons: Slovakia's, Robert Fico, Radovan Stoklasa, Robert Fico's, Fico, Zuzana Caputova, Jason Hovet, Jan Lopatka, Timothy Organizations: REUTERS, European Union, Timothy Heritage, Thomson Locations: Bratislava, Slovakia, Ukraine

☆ Slovakia's New PM Fico Stops Talking to Some Media Amid Rift
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) - Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stopped communication with four leading domestic news outlets on Monday after accusing them of failing to provide truthful information, widening a rift with some independent media groups. Fico became prime minister for a fourth time last month at the head of a leftist-nationalist coalition after an election in which he attacked liberal policies, Slovakia's Western allies and media that is critical of him and his SMER party. "As long as the cited media outlets do not begin to fulfil their legal obligations, Prime Minister R. Fico is interrupting any communication with them," the government office said in an emailed statement. While he had not barred journalists, halting communication contravened laws ensuring that media are kept informed by the authorities, he added. Pavol Szalai of Reporters Without Borders said Fico was subjecting Slovakia's democracy to a "crash test".

Persons: Robert Fico, Fico, Jan Kuciak, Kuciak, R, Dennik, Matus Kostolny, Kostolny, Beata Balogova, Jason Hovet, Gareth Jones Organizations: Reuters, Slovak, TV, Facebook, Borders, Government

☆ 'True European': Former top Czech diplomat Schwarzenberg dies
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

PRAGUE, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Former Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, one of the leading figures in the country's post-Communist era, has died, officials said on Sunday. Schwarzenberg was born into a prestigious Czech family and became a senior aide to his friend Vaclav Havel after the former dissident won the country's first free election in 1990. He later served twice as foreign minister between 2007 and 2013. The Vaclav Havel Library, which Schwarzenberg co-founded, said he died on Saturday, calling him a "patriot and true European". Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said on X that Schwarzenberg was an "unwavering advocate" of democracy and the European idea.

Persons: Karel Schwarzenberg, Schwarzenberg, Vaclav Havel, Miroslav Kalousek, Havel, Alexander Schallenberg, Milos Zeman, Jason Hovet, Jan Lopatka, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: Vaclav Havel Library, Communists, Television, Foreign Ministry, Austrian, Thomson Locations: PRAGUE, Czech, Europe, Vienna, Czech Republic, Schwarzenberg, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Central European

☆ New Slovak government rejects final military aid package for Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Then designated Prime Minister Robert Fico walks on the day of the new cabinet's inauguration at the Presidential Palace in Bratislava, Slovakia, October 25, 2023. Fico's government rejected the package at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, according to the government's website. Fico ran a campaign criticising Western military support for Ukraine and sanctions on Russia, and backs pushing for peace talks, a line similar to Hungary's leader Viktor Orban but rejected by Kyiv. Slovakia, which shares a border with Ukraine in its east, had sent military aid in 13 packages and worth 671 million euros to Kyiv since Russia's attack in February 2022 before Fico's appointment. Diplomats have said army stocks have been largely depleted so a halt in official military aid may have limited impact.

Persons: Robert Fico, Radovan Stoklasa, Fico's, Fico, Viktor Orban, Jason Hovet, Alex Richardson Organizations: REUTERS, NATO, Kyiv, SNS, Diplomats, Thomson Locations: Bratislava, Slovakia, Ukraine, Kyiv, Russian, Russia, Prague

☆ Volkswagen puts off east European gigafactory amid sluggish EV demand
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A Volkswagen logo is seen during the New York International Auto Show, in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., April 5, 2023. It said earlier this year it was in no rush to make a decision. Czech officials said on Wednesday they would start offering their proposed site for Volkswagen's battery plant to other investors, saying they could not afford to wait any longer for a decision. "We cannot continue to hold the land for this project," Fiala told a news conference. Industry minister Jozef Sikela said talks were happening with five investors, with two of those projects on a similar scale to Volkswagen's plans.

Persons: David, Dee, Delgado, Oliver Blume, BEV, Blume, Petr Fiala, Fiala, Jozef Sikela, Jason Hovet, Louise Heavens, Mark Potter Organizations: New York, REUTERS, Rights, Volkswagen, Volkswagen's, Skoda Auto, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, Europe, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Salzgitter, Germany, Valencia, Spain, St, Thomas, Canada, Volkswagen's Czech, Czech

Overall EU support for Ukraine has totalled almost 83 billion euros since Russia invaded in February 2022, the Brussels-based executive European Commission said this week. Slovakia's Robert Fico, attending his first EU summit since being appointed for his fourth term as prime minister on Wednesday, adopted a similar line. Orban has also said he would not endorse in its current form the proposed EU budget revision, which includes the 50 billion in new aid for Kyiv. Fico said there was endemic corruption in Ukraine and demanded that any new EU aid include guarantees that the funds not be misappropriated, according to a statement from his office. "The questions are, what type of aid and how it is used, how we are sure, the European Union is sure, that this aid is used efficiently," he said.

Persons: Fico, Orban, Olaf Scholz, Slovakia's Robert Fico, Vladimir Putin, Nikolai Denkov, Jan Strupczewski, Phil Blenkinsop, Bart Meijer, Tassilo Hummel, Marine Strauss, Krisztina, Jason Hovet, Miranda Murray, Gabriela Baczynska, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: Ukraine New, Union, EU, Ukraine, European Commission, Russia, Kyiv, European Union, European, Bulgarian, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Ukraine New Slovak, Ukraine BRUSSELS, Russian, Hungary, Slovakia, Brussels, Russia, SLOVAKIA, HUNGARY Hungary, Budapest, Bratislava, European Union

☆ Slovakia's Fico will not support more military aid to Ukraine at EU summit -Slovak media
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Slovakia's newly appointed Prime Minister Robert Fico attends the new cabinet's inauguration, at the Presidential Palace in Bratislava, Slovakia, October 25, 2023. REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa Acquire Licensing RightsOct 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 summit, Slovak media cited him as saying on Thursday. Fico campaigned heavily in a September election on pledges to halt Slovakia's military aid to Ukraine, make foreign policy independent, and protect borders from illegal migrants. The EU and its member countries have provided billions of euros in assistance to Ukraine since Russian forces invaded in February last year. Fico has pledged repeatedly to halt military aid for Ukraine, after previous Slovak governments shipped military hardware including fighter jets, an S-300 air defence system, and fighting and de-mining vehicles to Ukraine.

Persons: Slovakia's, Robert Fico, Radovan Stoklasa, Fico, Dennik, Viktor Orban, Jason Hovet, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: REUTERS, Russia, Union, European Union, Ukraine, EU, year's, Pravda, Hungarian, Kyiv, Thomson Locations: Bratislava, Slovakia, Ukraine, Brussels, Israel, Russian, United States, Prague

☆ Slovakia's SMER Party to Sign Agreement on Forming New Government on Monday
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

(Reuters) - Slovakia's former Prime Minister Robert Fico and his SMER-SSD party will sign a coalition agreement to form a new government with the centre-left HLAS and nationalist SNS parties on Monday, SMER said. Fico, a three-time prime minister, won an election on Sept. 30 with pledges to halt military aid to Ukraine and criticism of sanctions on Russia. He struck a deal with the coalition parties last week and is expected to lead a new government. The coalition agreement was set to be signed at 1 p.m. (1100 GMT). The parties are seeking to have an administration in place ahead of a European Union summit on Oct. 26-27 where Ukraine will be high on the agenda.

Persons: Robert Fico, SMER, Jason Hovet, Alex Richardson Organizations: Reuters, SNS Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Prague

☆ Slovakia's SMER party to sign agreement on forming new government on Monday
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SMER-SSD party leader Robert Fico arrives to the party's headquarters, after the country's early parliamentary elections, in Bratislava, Slovakia, October 1, 2023. REUTERS/Eva Kornikova/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 16 (Reuters) - Slovakia's former Prime Minister Robert Fico and his SMER-SSD party will sign a coalition agreement to form a new government with the centre-left HLAS and nationalist SNS parties on Monday, SMER said. Fico, a three-time prime minister, won an election on Sept. 30 with pledges to halt military aid to Ukraine and criticism of sanctions on Russia. He struck a deal with the coalition parties last week and is expected to lead a new government. The coalition agreement was set to be signed at 1 p.m. (1100 GMT).

Persons: Robert Fico, Eva Kornikova, SMER, Jason Hovet, Alex Richardson Organizations: REUTERS, SNS, Thomson Locations: Bratislava, Slovakia, Ukraine, Russia, Prague

☆ Slovakia's populist ex-PM Fico seals coalition deal for new government
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Jason Hovet | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SMER-SSD party leader Robert Fico arrives to the party's headquarters, after the country's early parliamentary elections, in Bratislava, Slovakia, October 1, 2023. REUTERS/Eva Kornikova/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 16 (Reuters) - Slovak former prime minister Robert Fico and his party signed a coalition deal on Monday to form a new government expected to go slow on cutting high deficits and reduce support to neighbour Ukraine. Fico said his priorities would include boosting living standards and a foreign policy consistent with Slovakia's EU and NATO membership - but focused on protecting national interests. Fico has a tense relationship with Caputova, whom he has called a U.S. puppet acting as U.S. financier and philanthropist George Soros' proxy. Reporting by Jason Hovet in Prague; editing by Alex Richardson, Mark Heinrich and Tomasz JanowskiOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Robert Fico, Eva Kornikova, Viktor Orban, Zuzana Caputova, Fico, Caputova, George Soros, opposition's, Jason Hovet, Alex Richardson, Mark Heinrich, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: REUTERS, Ukraine, Hungarian, Kyiv, Democracy, Slovak National Party, European Union, NATO, EU, Thomson Locations: Bratislava, Slovakia, Slovak, Ukraine, Fico, U.S, Poland, Prague

☆ Vista Outdoor to sell sporting products unit in $1.91 bln deal, cuts sales forecast
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 16 (Reuters) - Vista Outdoor (VSTO.N) said on Monday it would sell its sporting products business in a $1.91 billion deal, although its shares tumbled about 20% in early trading after it cut its full-year sales forecast. The all-cash sale of the sporting products unit, which includes its guns and ammunition business, to privately held Czechoslovak Group a.s. (CSG) is expected to close next calendar year, Vista Outdoor said. Earlier this month, Vista spun off its outdoor products segment, which includes helmets and water bottles, into a separate publicly traded company called Revelyst as part of its previously announced plan. Vista said in a call with analysts and investors that the separation of its sporting and outdoor goods units will be formalized at the closing of its deal with CSG. CSG said it plans to take $1.11 billion of debt financing to fund the deal with Vista Outdoor.

Persons: Andy Keegan, Vista, Fiocchi Munizioni, Juveria Tabassum, Jason Hovet, Jan Lopatka, Savio D'Souza, Shweta Agarwal Organizations: Vista, CSG, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Prague

☆ Poland, Czech Republic extend border controls with Slovakia
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Polish soldiers guard along a temporary checkpoint at the Slovakia-Poland border, as seen from the village Skalite, Slovakia, October 4, 2023. REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWARSAW, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Poland and the Czech Republic will extend temporary controls on their borders with Slovakia into November as countries seek to restrict the flow of illegal migrants. The Polish government has decided to extend the controls by 20 days to Nov. 2, the interior ministry said in a statement. On Wednesday, Slovakia extended its own border controls with Hungary until Nov. 3. Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria and Germany are all part of the EU's Schengen open-border zone.

Persons: Radovan Stoklasa, Mariusz Kaminski, Kaminski, Slovakia's, Anna Wlodarczak, Jason Hovet, Deborah Kyvrikosaios, Gareth Jones Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Union, Justice, Thomson Locations: Slovakia, Poland, Czech Republic, Czech, Austria, East, Afghanistan, Germany, Hungary, Serbia, EU, Europe, Warsaw, Prague

☆ Slovakia's Fico strikes deal on coalition after election win
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Jan Lopatka | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

A Fico-led government would move Slovakia closer to Hungary at a time when the European Union and other Western countries have tried to keep unity on support for Ukraine. The memorandum did not specify any foreign policy details. He has not been specific on commercial supplies from the country's defence industry which include ammunition and heavy equipment makers. Prior to the election, also said he wanted to re-negotiate a defence cooperation treaty with Washington. Reporting by Jan Lopatka and Jason Hovet in Prague; Editing by Emelia Sithole-MatariseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Robert Fico, Zuzana Caputova, Radovan Stoklasa, Fico, Viktor Orban, Jan Lopatka, Jason Hovet, Emelia Sithole Organizations: REUTERS, EU's, Ukraine Coalition, Ukraine, Democracy, European Union, Justice, SNS, NATO, Washington, EU, Hungarian, Diplomats, Thomson Locations: Bratislava, Slovakia, Ukraine, Russia, Hungary, Slovak Republic, Prague

☆ Slovakia tightens Hungary border in 'chain reaction' as migrant arrivals rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Slovakia's checks on its border with Hungary will start on Thursday and last 10 days. The Czech Republic, Poland and Austria already started temporary controls on their borders with Slovakia on Wednesday, while Germany introduced new controls with Poland and the Czech Republic last week. Odor, serving as a caretaker until a new government takes office following an election on Sunday, had previously resisted calls to impose border controls. "Poland is before elections, such rhetoric appears, and then the Czech Republic reacts and so does Austria. Slovakia's government said nearly 40,000 illegal migrants have passed into Slovakia since the start of the year.

Persons: Bernadett Szabo, Robert Fico, Jan Lopatka, Jason Hovet, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: Migrants, REUTERS, Slovak, Thomson Locations: Slovakia, Hungary, Chl'aba, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, East, Afghanistan, Germany, Western Europe, Central

Dealing with illegal migration has been a point of contention and unity in central Europe. Illegal migration was a key issue in elections in Slovakia last weekend, and in elections in Poland later this month. Slovakia has faced a rising number of illegal migrants crossing as they head to Germany and western Europe. Slovakia said last month the number of detained illegal migrants had soared nine fold, to more than 27,000 this year. "In recent weeks, we detected and detained 551 illegal migrants at the border with Slovakia.

Persons: Radovan, Vit Rakusan, Gerhard Karner, spillover, Robert Fico, Fico, Mariusz Kaminski, Kaminski, Jason Hovet, Jan Lopatka, Pawel Florkiewicz, Anna Wlodarczak, Francois Murphy, Andrew Heavens, Ed Osmond, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: REUTERS, Slovakia Czech, Austrian, Justice, Poland, Thomson Locations: Czech, Slovak, Stary Hrozenkov, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, PRAGUE, WARSAW, Poland, Europe, Hungary, Vienna, East, Afghanistan, Serbia, Prague, Warsaw

[1/2] SMER-SSD party leader Robert Fico arrives to the party's headquarters after the country's early parliamentary elections, in Bratislava, Slovakia, October 1, 2023. Caputova, a liberal who has a tense relationship with Fico, a three-time former prime minister, will first make a 2 p.m. statement on the election outcome. Fico and his SMER-SSD party won nearly 23% of the vote on Saturday, ahead of liberal challenger Progresivne Slovensko (Progressive Slovakia, PS) with 18%. HLAS, led by Fico's former colleague and prime minister Peter Pellegrini, could also support a potential PS-led coalition if negotiations with SMER fail. Fico's pledge, however, may have limited practical impact as analysts say Slovakia has already provided much of what it could spare.

Persons: Robert Fico, Radovan Stoklasa, Fico, Zuzana Caputova, Progresivne Slovensko, Fico's, Peter Pellegrini, Reuters Graphics Fico, Viktor Orban, Pellegrini, Jason Hovet, Jan Lopatka, Andrew Heavens, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: REUTERS, Ukraine Won, Russian Slovak National Party, SNS, SMER, Reuters Graphics, European Union, Russia's, Hungarian, Law and Justice, Brussels, NATO, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Bratislava, Slovakia, Ukraine, Progressive Slovakia, SMER, Russian, Hungary, European, Russia, Europe, Slovak

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