News digest: Anti-vaxxer government official wraps up pandemic inquiry with DIY test

PM Fico intimidates journalist, government raises taxes, and how Americans in Slovakia plan to vote in US election.

By: sme.sk

Oct 03 2024
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News digest: Anti-vaxxer gover

Good evening. Here is the Thursday, October 3 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.

SNS MP calls for an end to mRNA vaccination

Slovak National Party MP Peter Kotlár. (Source: SME - Marko Erd)

Peter Kotlár, an MP from the far-right Slovak National Party (SNS) and known for his anti-vaccine stance, has served as the government’s representative for investigating coronavirus pandemic management for nearly a year. Recently, the government received his report, compiled in collaboration with disinformation agents, which controversially recommends halting the use of mRNA vaccines in Slovakia.

Kotlár alleges that these vaccines alter human DNA, a claim firmly dismissed by the Health Ministry. Kotlár provided no relevant data to support his conclusions in the report. Instead, he referenced a test he conducted on himself to affirm the alleged harmfulness of these vaccines. He continues to insist that the virus originated from a Chinese laboratory and claims that Ukrainians were also involved in its development. The MP also advocates for Slovakia to reject the World Health Organisation’s pandemic treaty.

Thanks to Kotlár, who is a trained orthopaedic surgeon and a close friend of the disseminator of disinformation and Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová, Slovakia has uniquely distanced itself from updates to WHO health regulations this year. In parliament, he asserted that the coronavirus pandemic had not occurred in Slovakia.

No state authority has publicly challenged Kotlár’s views, which are at odds with established scientific knowledge. Reports suggest that officials may be hesitant to criticise him, as he is reportedly backed by Prime Minister Robert Fico of the Smer party. Fico himself has dismissed the WHO pandemic treaty as nonsense created by greedy pharmaceutical companies.

Although banning mRNA vaccines outright is not feasible, as they are registered with the European Medicines Agency, the state could choose not to cover their costs through public health insurance based on Kotlár’s recommendations.

Scientists at the Virology Institute of the Biomedical Centre of the Slovak Academy of Sciences have expressed deep concern over Kotlár’s statements, urging the government to handle his report with extreme caution to avoid relegating Slovakia to the fringes of the civilised world. While the opposition has denounced Kotlár’s remarks as disinformation, the Health Ministry claims that it maintains its commitment to relying on scientific evidence.

Five must-see attractions at the White Night festival

(Source: Courtesy of White Night)

This weekend, Bratislava is rolling out the red carpet for the 10th jubilee edition of the beloved White Night festival (Biela noc), transforming the city into a vibrant gallery of contemporary art. From Friday, October 4, to Sunday, October 6, art lovers can wander through 48 venues showcasing mesmerizing displays, dazzling projections, and a feast of events created by talented artists from over 10 countries.

BRATISLAVA EVENTS

DJ Bobo will hold a party in Bratislava

DJ Bobo is set to perform in Bratislava, or you can gaze at the night sky from Devín Castle. Alternatively, why not take a stroll through the city and discover the symbols of Bratislava?

IN OTHER NEWS

On Thursday, Juraj Gedra, head of the Government Office, and Smer MEP Erik Kaliňák made an unannounced visit to the premises of the anti-corruption foundation Stop Corruption. The visit was prompted by an article written by Xénia Makarová, which claims that the firm Stanter, linked to oligarch Norbert Bödör, secured a €5 million contract for the reconstruction of the Government Office site. Gedra shouted at Makarová while Kaliňák recorded the entire meeting without permission. The pair alleged that Makarová was misleading in her article, a claim the foundation refutes. According to TV Markíza, Kaliňák stated, “Gedra raised his voice, as did they. It was a standard argument; it was neither shouting nor threatening. He was understandably irritated.” Kaliňák similarly confronted journalists Peter Bárdy and Marián Leško in the past.
Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák (Smer), suspected of misusing a government plane to facilitate the abduction of a Vietnamese citizen and who once claimed that corruption at the highest levels does not exist, has again appeared on the pro-Russian disinformation platform Infovojna. In the interview, he stated that the government is still working to remove inconvenient individuals, including charged investigators who looked into corruption cases involving figures linked to some of the previous Smer governments and Judge Pamela Záleská. “Some of these creatures are still in their positions, but I don’t have a magic wand,” Kaliňák said. The minister also defended neo-Nazi Daniel Bombic (Danny Kollár), expressing his willingness to assist him through his law firm. “Danny Kollár is a victim of a crackdown on free speech,” Kaliňák said, as quoted by Denník N. Journalist Zuzana Kovačič Hanzelová is among those who have filed criminal complaints against him.
On Wednesday evening, MP Michal Šipoš (Slovensko) was escorted out of the debating chamber after refusing to leave voluntarily, following repeated warnings from Deputy Speaker Tibor Gašpar from the Smer party. Gašpar ordered his removal because Šipoš was wearing a T-shirt that read, “The government raises its own salaries, but only increases taxes for the people.” According to Gašpar, Šipoš violated parliamentary rules, as the T-shirt could be considered a visual display or a banner, items which are prohibited in the chamber. Gašpar noted that Šipoš could have corrected the violation by putting on a jacket, but the MP refused.
Viliam Tankó, an MP elected on the slate of the OĽaNO, KÚ, and Za ľudí coalition, is joining the Progressive Slovakia parliamentary caucus after leaving the Slovensko (form. OĽaNO) caucus this summer.
Doctors and nurses are rejecting the consolidation measures that concern the healthcare sector. The proposal, approved by parliament on Thursday, is perceived as a threat to Slovak healthcare. The Nurses and Midwives Trade Union (OZ SaPA) and the Medical Trade Union Association (LOZ) have announced further actions aimed at compelling the cabinet to revoke these measures in the sector. (TASR)
A brief rebellion earlier this week by MP Rudolf Huliak, leader of the small pro-Russian political party National Coalition (a faction within the far-right Slovak National Party caucus), has come at a cost. Several of his nominees have been removed from leadership positions in institutions overseen by the Environment Ministry, which is controlled by the SNS party. (Denník N)
The government has approved a law amendment that will remove the requirement for referrals to visit a urologist or gastroenterologist. However, the amendment still awaits parliamentary approval and is not yet in effect. (Denník N)

Zádielska tiesňava gorge in the Košice-okolie district on 1 October 2024. (Source: TASR - František Iván)

WEATHER FOR FRIDAY: Expect a cloudy to overcast day, with showers or rain likely in many areas, and locally heavy rainfall possible. Daytime temperatures will range from 11°C to 16°C, with some northern regions experiencing temperatures around 9°C. (SHMÚ)

OCTOBER 4 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: František.

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