Massive Protests Erupt in Slovakia Against Prime Minister's Russia Ties

The Slovak government has announced plans to amend the constitution, aiming to restrict the rights of same-sex couples and transgender individuals. Prime Minister Robert Fico, leading this initiative, expressed a desire to create "a constitutional barrier against progressivism," questioning the precedence of EU law over national law, according to reports from local officials. The proposed amendment suggests recognition of only two genders—male and female—marking a potential setback for the LGBTIQ community in Slovakia. "We must protect our traditions and the cultural and spiritual heritage of our ancestors," Fico stated during a press conference on Tuesday. This move has raised concerns among human rights advocates, who warn that such changes could undermine the progress made in recent years regarding LGBTIQ rights in Slovakia and may open legal disputes with the European Union. The government’s approach has drawn widespread criticism, with many calling it a significant regression in social rights protections.

In a shocking incident at a high school in Spisska Stara Ves, Slovakia, a student fatally stabbed a female teacher and a classmate on Thursday. The victims, aged 51 and 18, were pronounced dead at the scene, while another 18-year-old female classmate sustained injuries and was taken to a hospital. Emergency services arrived promptly, finding the tragic aftermath of the attack. The suspected assailant, an 18-year-old student, was detained shortly after the incident, according to police reports. Slovakia, a nation of approximately 5.4 million, has a history of low violent crime rates, making this occurrence particularly unsettling. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok and other officials have responded to the incident, highlighting the shock permeating the small town located near the Polish border. President Peter Pellegrini issued a statement emphasizing that violence can never be a solution to conflicts, underlining the need for dialogue and understanding. This tragedy adds to a growing concern about youth violence in educational settings worldwide.

A tragic incident occurred on January 16, 2025, in Spisska Stara Ves, Slovakia, when an 18-year-old student stabbed two females, resulting in their deaths and injuring a third. The victims, a 51-year-old female teacher and an 18-year-old student, were pronounced dead at the scene, while another 18-year-old classmate sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment. Emergency services responded rapidly to the scene at the local high school, where the attack took place shortly after classes began. Authorities confirmed that the perpetrator was apprehended shortly after the incident, as stated by the police. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok, along with the Minister of Education and the Chief of Police, visited the site to assess the situation. This brutal event has shocked a nation where violent episodes are uncommon, only recalling a recent assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico last May. The Slovak President Peter Pellegrini expressed his condolences and reaffirmed that such violence is not a solution to any problem, emphasizing the need for peaceful resolutions.