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Schwarzenberg: Slovakia Has Surpassed Us in Forming Gov\'t and Reforms

Bratislava, July 10 (TASR) - Slovakia has outfooted the Czech Republic not only in forming new government but also in necessary economic reforms that were carried out by the two former governments of Mikulas Dzurinda (1998-2006), which the Czechs still haven't managed to introduce, incoming Czech foreign affairs minister Karel Schwarzenberg told at Saturday's informal meeting… read more

Nitra Regional Councillor Murdered, Lipsic Insists on Investigation

Nitra, July 10 (TASR) - Interior Minister Daniel Lipsic said on Saturday that he will insist on a thorough investigation of police activities between the attack on Nitra regional councillor Laszlo Basternak (ethnic-Hungarian SMK) that occurred in March and his murder in Hurbanovo on Friday evening. Basternak was murdered by an unknown perpetrator in front of his house… read more

PM Radicova Spends Day Introducing Her Cabinet Members Into Offices

Bratislava, July 9 (TASR) - After President Ivan Gasparovic appointed the entire new Government on Friday, the new Prime Minister Iveta Radicova embarked on a tour that saw individual members of her Cabinet introduced to their offices. This is the list of Radicova's 12 ministers and deputy premier for minorities, with all of them replacing their predecessors. office… read more

Fico: I Will Stay in Politics as Long as Slovak People Want Me To

Bratislava, July 9 (TASR) - Smer-SD chairman, MP and former premier Robert Fico intends to remain in politics for as long as he is wanted by the public, he said in answer to journalists' questions after being voted in as the fourth deputy chairman of Parliament with the support of 100 votes out of 144 lawmakers present in the chamber. Reminded of his past declarations… read more

PM Radicova to Visit European Commission and Meet Barroso Tuesday

Bratislava/Brussels, July 9 (TASR) - The new Slovak Prime Minister Iveta Radicova is scheduled to meet EC President Jose Manuel Barroso on Thursday, July 13 in Brussels. The information was confirmed by Barroso's spokesperson Ahrenkilde Hansen on Friday; however, she gave no further details as to what the two officials are due to discuss. At any rate, the Union is still… read more

Robert Fico Voted In as Fourth Parliamentary Deputy Chairman

Bratislava, July 9 (TASR) - Head of Smer-SD and former prime minister Robert Fico was chosen in a secret ballot as deputy chairman of Parliament at the Parliament session on Friday, gaining 100 votes, from 144 lawmakers. Fico is the fourth parliamentary vice-chair, with Milan Hort (SDKU-DS), Pavol Hrusovsky (Christian Democrats/KDH) and Bela Bugar (Most-Hid) already… read more

Fico Suggests Premier Take Picture of Herself Now for 2014 Comparison

Bratislava, July 9 (TASR) - MP and former premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) recommended new Premier Iveta Radicova (SDKU-DS) on Friday to take a picture of herself at the beginning of her tenure. Fico reacted this way to the question whether he feels relief that the four strenuous years of his premiership are over. "Maybe it wasn't the most gallant thing in the world… read more

President Gasparovic Promises Co-Operation with Premier Radicova

Bratislava, July 9 (TASR) - Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic promised co-operation with the new Government on Friday in such a way that it won't lose the support of people. "I'd like to ask you for mutual acceptance and respect, then our co-operation will be good," said Gasparovic during the appointment of new ministers. Every state needs political stability and… read more

Gasparovic Appoints 13 New Ministers

Bratislava, July 9 (TASR) - Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic appointed the new Slovak Government on Friday. The centre-right cabinet - presided over by Prime Minister Iveta Radicova (SDKU-DS), who was appointed on Thursday after former premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) resigned earlier on the same day - will hold its first session immediately after the ceremony. The… read more

Profile: Iveta Radicova, Slovakia\'s First-ever Female Prime Minister

Bratislava, July 8 (TASR) - Iveta Radicova is Slovakia's first-ever female prime minister after being appointed to the post at the head of a centre-right government on June 23. TASR brings her profile below. Professor Iveta Radicova worked for years in the area of social affairs, focusing on employment, socially-disadvantaged groups and the protection of children's rights.… read more

President Appoints Iveta Radicova New Slovak Prime Minister (UPDATE)

Bratislava, July 8 (TASR) - President Ivan Gasparovic on Thursday appointed Iveta Radicova the new prime minister following the resignation of former premier Robert Fico approximately an hour earlier. The entire new cabinet – minus an expected environment minister appointment which will take place once the ministry is re-established – is expected to be appointed on… read more

Hort, Hrusovsky and Bugar Voted In as Parliamentary Deputy Chairmen

Bratislava, July 8 (TASR) - Milan Hort (SDKU-DS), Pavol Hrusovsky (Christian Democrats/KDH) and Bela Bugar (Most-Hid) were chosen in a secret ballot as deputy chairmen of Parliament at the opening session of legislature on Thursday, gaining 90, 129 and 122 votes respectively, from 146 lawmakers. Chairman of Smer-SD Robert Fico will be voted on as fourth deputy chairman… read more

Profile: Chairman of Parliament Richard Sulik

Bratislava, July 8 (TASR) - The Freedom and Solidarity party (SaS) head Richard Sulik was elected chairman of the 5th Parliament at its opening session on Thursday. TASR publishes his profile: Sulik, founder of the liberal free-market SaS and its chairman was born January 13, 1968 in Bratislava. Between 1987-1989, after his family emigrated to West Germany, he… read more

Richard Sulik Becomes New Parliamentary Chairman (UPDATE 2)

Bratislava, July 8 (TASR) - Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) leader Richard Sulik became the new parliamentary chairman in a repeated secret ballot on Thursday, replacing Pavol Paska (Smer-SD) in the post. In the repeated vote, 80 out of the 149 MPs present cast their votes in favour of Sulik. At least 76 votes are needed for a candidate to acquire the post. After… read more

SDKU General Secretary Hudec Should Become New SIS Director

Bratislava, July 8 (TASR) - SDKU-DS general secretary Stefan Hudec is set to become the new director of the Slovak Intelligence Service (SIS), news portal Aktualne.sk wrote on Thursday, referring to two independent sources from the party. Hudec has been active in SDKU since the party's inception in 2000. He worked as SDKU central office director between 2000-02, and has… read more